Record low number of pregnant women smoking in North East
The number of women who smoke during pregnancy in the North East has fallen to a record low, new figures show.
The NHS Digital data show five per cent of women from the region were smokers at the time of delivery in 2025-26 – compared to 13.1% in 2020/21 and a 61% reduction.
The significant reduction is attributed to the collaborative work carried out by the NHS and local authorities across the region to protect unborn babies and help more women break free of tobacco dependency.
Pregnant women who are identified as smoking are given clear information about the risks to themselves and their unborn babies by their midwife at booking appointments and referred to receive support to quit.
Some of the initiatives driving this progress have included training for frontline staff, referral to stop smoking support as part of routine maternity care, carbon monoxide monitoring by maternity staff and the provision of quitting aids.
Jennie Weber, 31, quit with support from her local stop smoking service after finding out she was pregnant with her first child.
Now 29 weeks pregnant, she said: “I started smoking when I was around 15. Everyone around me was doing it, so it just felt normal.
"I’d never tried to quit before until I spoke to my midwife about the benefits of quitting.”
She added: “It was so helpful to have someone to talk to. My advisor was lovely, and I never felt judged. She celebrated every milestone with me and helped me see each step as a real achievement. Having that support throughout made such a difference.
“It really helped me prepare for the arrival of my daughter, knowing that I’m doing everything I can to give her the healthiest possible start in life.”
Rachel McIlvenna Smokefree NHS Strategic Manager, North East and North Cumbria NHS Integrated Care Board, said: “We’re really pleased to see that the number of women smoking during pregnancy has fallen again over the past year. This is such an important step toward improving the health of families across our region.
Ailsa Rutter, director of anti-smoking group Fresh, said: "It is fantastic to see another significant decrease in the number of women smoking at the time of giving birth.
"We want pregnant women to know they don’t have to do it on their own and specialist support is there to help you along the way.”