England: women smoking during pregnancy 2006-2024

In the period 2023/24, 7.6 percent of pregnant women in England smoked at the time of delivery. The share of pregnant women smoking has decreased since 2006 when almost sixteen percent of pregnant women did so. Smoking during pregnancy can lead to many birth complications, so it is advised that the expecting mother quits smoking for the health of the baby. 

Situation north of the border

As in England, Scotland’s share of pregnant women smoking has been declining, although the prevalence remains higher than those in England. In 2022, 12 percent of pregnant women in Scotland smoked during pregnancy, in the year 2000 this share was at almost 29 percent. 

Younger mothers more likely to smoke

In both England and Scotland, the prevalence of pregnant smokers increases down the age groups. In England, 28 percent of mothers under 20 smoked while pregnant in 2021/22. While in Scotland in the same year, 27.6 percent of teenage mothers smoked when pregnant.