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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Smoking during pregnancy in England 'lowest on record' | Smoking during pregnancy in England 'lowest on record' |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The number of women smoking during pregnancy across England is down to 12%, the lowest recorded level, figures for 2013-2014 show. | The number of women smoking during pregnancy across England is down to 12%, the lowest recorded level, figures for 2013-2014 show. |
| But there were large regional differences, with 5% in London smoking up to nearly 21% in the North East. | But there were large regional differences, with 5% in London smoking up to nearly 21% in the North East. |
| Rates have fallen 16% since first measured in 2006-7, the Health and Social Care Information Centre said. | Rates have fallen 16% since first measured in 2006-7, the Health and Social Care Information Centre said. |
| Smoking while pregnant can damage babies' hearts and increase the risk of miscarriage and premature birth. | Smoking while pregnant can damage babies' hearts and increase the risk of miscarriage and premature birth. |
| The government has set a target to reduce the rate to 11% or less women smoking at the time of delivery by 2015. | The government has set a target to reduce the rate to 11% or less women smoking at the time of delivery by 2015. |
| Still 'way to go' | Still 'way to go' |
| The report shows 39% of local health areas have met this target so far. | The report shows 39% of local health areas have met this target so far. |
| Kingsley Manning, chair at the HSCIC said it was "encouraging" to see the decline in numbers of pregnant women who smoked. | |
| But he added: "There is still a little way to go to achieve the national ambition. | But he added: "There is still a little way to go to achieve the national ambition. |
| "Today's figures highlight there is a still work to be done and it is fundamental that mothers-to-be are aware of the damaging effects smoking can have on their baby." | "Today's figures highlight there is a still work to be done and it is fundamental that mothers-to-be are aware of the damaging effects smoking can have on their baby." |
| NHS Blackpool had the highest rate, with 28% of pregnant women smoking. | NHS Blackpool had the highest rate, with 28% of pregnant women smoking. |
| Other areas with high smoking in pregnancy rates were South Devon, the Isle of Wight, Wiltshire and Lincolnshire. | Other areas with high smoking in pregnancy rates were South Devon, the Isle of Wight, Wiltshire and Lincolnshire. |
| Meanwhile, central London had the lowest rate of 2%. | Meanwhile, central London had the lowest rate of 2%. |