Rates of smoking in pregnancy across the North East and North Cumbria fall to a record low
New figures published today (June 18) have revealed that the number of women smoking during pregnancy in the North East and North Cumbria has reached a record low.
The significant reduction is attributed to the lifesaving 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.
The figures from NHS Digital show that 5% of women from the North East and North Cumbria were smoking at the time of delivery in 2025-26 compared to 13.1% in 2020/21 – a reduction of more than 61%.
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:
- High quality training for frontline staff
- Referral to stop smoking support as part of routine maternity care
- Carbon monoxide (CO) monitoring by maternity staff.
- Provision of approved quitting aids to stay off lethal tobacco including nicotine vapes – an approach supported by the Royal College of Midwives
- Continued adoption of national pregnancy financial incentives scheme
Women themselves have also played a vital role in shaping more accessible and inclusive services.
Jennie Weber, 31, from Jarrow who now lives in Sunderland, quit smoking 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.
“It was so helpful to have someone to talk to. My advisor was so 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. I can’t wait to meet her, and it feels great 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.
“The progress we’re seeing in the North East and North Cumbria is a credit to our amazing Maternity and Health Visiting teams, our Tobacco Dependency Treatment Services, and—most importantly—the women who have bravely taken up the support available to help them quit.
“There’s still more to do, but we’re confident that every baby born in the North East and North Cumbria can have a smokefree start in life. By continuing to work together, we can make this ambition a reality.”
Ailsa Rutter OBE, Director of Fresh and Balance, said: “It is fantastic to see another significant decrease in the number of women smoking at the time of giving birth across the North East and North Cumbria. This is a testament to the success of our tobacco dependency teams, and local stop smoking services across the region.
“Stopping smoking in pregnancy is one of the best things you can do to give your baby the best possible start in life. 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.
“We also recognize that smoking nearly always starts in childhood and when you are young, which is why we welcome the new smokefree generation law coming into force on 1st January 2027 which means anyone born after 1 January 2009 can’t be sold lethal tobacco products”.
The progress in reducing maternal smoking is the result of collaboration between Directors of Public Health, Fresh, maternity services, local authority public health teams, stop smoking services, and community partners working together to offer tailored support to women at a critical time in their lives.
Smoking during pregnancy is the leading modifiable risk factor for poor birth outcomes, including stillbirth, miscarriage, and pre-term birth. Smoking during pregnancy restricts oxygen to the unborn infant, exposing them to harmful toxins and making the baby’s heart work faster.
The North East has also had the largest fall of any English region in smoking rates, from 29% to 10.2% between 2005 and 2024.
Fresh with support from local authorities, the North East and North Cumbria NHS Integrated Care Board has launched the Declaration for a Smokefree Future – a commitment to end the death and disease of tobacco.
The work also complements efforts across the NHS in the North East and North Cumbria which now have Tobacco Dependency Treatment Services to support patients to stay off lethal tobacco smoking while in hospital.