The NHS England report highlights that more than 61,000 pregnant women were still smoking last year during their pregnancy. It further notes that the percentage of pregnant smokers fell from 14.6% in 2008-09 to 10.6% in 2018-19. However, it believes more needs to be done to increase awareness of the complications that smoking can cause during pregnancy.
Wednesday 11th March marks as the national no-smoking day in the UK. As part of its no-smoking campaign, the NHS has warned pregnant mothers of increasing risks smoking poses to the unborn baby. These include the risks of premature birth, baby’s restricted heartbeat, less weight and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). At worst it can also result in a still-born. However, following their birth as well some babies whose parents smoke are more likely to be admitted to hospital for bronchitis and pneumonia during their first year. There are also increased risks of infections, particularly things like glue ear and upper respiratory tract infections in babies born to women who smoke.
Sanjeeda* (name changed upon request) is a mother of two children and a resident in the Canary Wharf district of London. In a statement to the Asian Voice, she said,
“I go through different phases of smoking. Most of the times it is usually stress that triggers my intense smoking phase but then there is indulgence around social smoking, occasional social smoking and sometimes I don’t smoke at all.
“I was aware of the complications that can arise in my pregnancy due to my smoking habits. And therefore I gave up on smoking both times when I gave birth to my two daughters.”
The NHS report noted that one in five pregnant smokers were from Blackpool, Corby, Durham, Mansfield. In comparison in London, only one in 20 pregnant women were smoking when they gave birth. There is no clear data to indicate the percentage of Black, Asian or Ethnic Minority (BAME) pregnant women who are aware of the complications that smoking during pregnancy can cause. However, the NHS also notes that adults of Black, Asian, or Chinese ethnicities were less likely to be current smokers than those of mixed, white, or other ethnicities.
The current national ambition of the NHS is to achieve a level of 6% or less number of pregnant smokers by 2022.
The latest epidemic of Covid-19 has made it worse for smoking addicts. Although, the UK government says there is no obvious sign that pregnant women are more likely to be severely affected by the coronavirus. However, health experts are quick to note that this conclusion is derived from sampling nine pregnant women across the UK and therefore, it is still early days to reach a decisive result. While some women have reported of difficulties around quitting smoking, Sanjeeda said,
“It was not at all difficult for me to completely give up smoking habits during my pregnancy and I never resorted to any other alternatives of vaping or alcohol either.”
Health experts advise women to practice yoga and meditation sessions for women who cannot give up smoking. They must always seek medical advice when looking to give up smoking as some medication, such as stop smoking tablets are not recommended during pregnancy. GPs, midwives, pharmacists, and specialist stop smoking advisors should all be able to offer suitable and further support.
