A report out today by the Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group states that one baby dies every day in the UK as a consequence of mothers smoking during pregnancy and is calling for a national carbon monoxide screening programme for pregnant mothers.
Smoking during pregnancy causes up to 2,200 premature births, 5,000 miscarriages and 300 perinatal deaths every year in the UK and is associated with problems including respiratory conditions, learning difficulties, obesity and diabetes.
The Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group, which is led by The Lullaby Trust and the UK Centre for Tobacco Control Studies (UKCTCS) and includes charities, Royal Colleges, smoking cessation groups and academics, is calling for a national carbon monoxide screening so mothers can find out if they are at risk and receive advice and support enabling them to make decisions about their behaviour.
The Group has also raised concern over the training and education healthcare workers and midwives get in offering support to mothers who smoke. Smokers do not always know the consequences of smoking and professionals are not always equipped to provide the necessary education, support and motivation required. It is essential the issues surrounding smoking in pregnancy are addressed at every level and training and investment is provided to tackle the problem.
The report further highlights the significant variation in smoking rates by factors such as region, age and social group, with pregnant women from unskilled occupational groups being five times more likely to smoke than professionals.
Chief Executive of RSPH, Shirley Cramer CBE, said “RSPH fully support the recommendations of the report and strongly believe the healthcare system should be acting to address the problem of smoking in pregnancy. This involves educating not only health professionals but also mothers.
A key factor in behaviour change is understanding the motivations behind the behaviour - therefore it is a process done with, not to people. Health professionals need to be equipped with the skills to investigate the factors influencing the decision to smoke in order to provide support and tailor interventions. We believe carbon monoxide screening will help inform mothers about the consequences of smoking and provide an important step in changing behaviours and improving health”.
The Challenge Group backs guidance given by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which outlines how pregnant women who smoke should be supported and suggests carbon monoxide screening should be used as part of the support provided to pregnant women along with discussion of and referral to local services and support.
The full report can be found here: 
Ends
For more information
Kate Sanger, Marketing and Communications Manager, RSPH
[email protected] 020 7265 7334
Kate Sanger, Marketing and Communications Manager, RSPH
[email protected] 020 7265 7334
Notes to editors
- The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) is an independent, multi-disciplinary organisation, dedicated to the promotion and protection of collective human health and wellbeing. Through advocacy, mediation, empowerment, knowledge and practice we advise on policy development, provide education and training services, encourage scientific research, disseminate information and certify products, training centres and processes.
- The RSPH is the oldest public health body in the world and enjoys patronage of Her Majesty the Queen
- It is a registered charity operating under Royal Charter
- The RSPH is an awarding body recognised by Ofqual. Around 100,000 students take our qualifications each year through our network of over 1500 training centres throughout the UK. Our qualifications cover areas including health improvement, food hygiene, pest control, health & safety, nutrition and emergency planning.
- The RSPH is a membership organisation with almost 7,000 members. Membership of RSPH is a widely recognised mark of commitment to public health and brings real professional benefits.
- The RSPH run a wide variety of conferences covering topics such as food safety, water, infection control and occupational medicine as well as training programmes covering all aspects of health improvement
- The RSPH run an accreditation service for health and safety related products and manage the second largest food packaging certification scheme in the UK
