Smoking in pregnancy

Smoking in pregnancy has well known detrimental effects for the growth and development of the baby and health of the mother. Smoking during pregnancy can cause serious pregnancy-related health problems. These include complications during labour and an increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, low birth-weight and sudden unexpected death in infancy.

The Tobacco Control Plan contains a national ambition to reduce the rate of smoking throughout pregnancy to 6% or less by the end of 2022 (measured at time of giving birth). The inclusion of this indicator will ensure that the local tobacco control activity is appropriately focused on pregnant women, in order to try to achieve this national ambition.[1]

Statistics on Women's Smoking Status at Time of Delivery are published on a quarterly basis by NHS Digital to monitor the prevalence of smoking in pregnancy.

Key findings (2024/25)

• Lancashire-12 area's Smoking Status at Time of Delivery (SATOD) rate (7.5%*) remains significantly higher than the England rate (6.1%). However, the recent trend (based on most recent five years), in line with the national and regional picture, is showing a decline.
• Blackpool (13.1%) has one of the highest SATOD rates in the country, although the recent trend is showing a decline. In Blackburn with Darwen, 5.8% of pregnant women are known to be smokers at the time of delivery, with the recent trend showing a decline. Blackpool's SATOD rate is significantly higher than the England rate and Blackburn with Darwen's SATOD rate is similar to the England rate.
• Across the Lancashire-12 districts, in Rossendale, Pendle, Hyndburn, Burnley (9.1%) and Ribble Valley (8.5%), the rate of pregnant women known to be smokers at the time of delivery is significantly higher than the England rate.

Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) SATOD rates (2024/25)

• Across the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria's Sub-ICB locations, SATOD rates range from 13.1% (NHS Blackpool) and 9.1% (NHS East Lancashire) to 4.5% in NHS West Lancashire; England|6.1%.
• SATOD rates in NHS Blackpool and NHS East Lancashire Sub-ICB locations, along with the North West region (6.5%), are higher than the England rate.
• In all Lancashire and South Cumbria Sub-ICB locations, apart from NHS Blackburn with Darwen (5.8%) and NHS West Lancashire (4.5%), the SATOD rate is above the current national ambition of 6% or less.
• Smoking status is unknown for some maternities and therefore caution should be used when making comparisons with earlier periods and between locations. In Lancashire and South Cumbria Sub-ICB locations, the average percentage of maternities with an unknown smoking status is 3.1% (NHS Blackburn with Darwen|0.5%, NHS Blackpool|0.1%, NHS Chorley and South Ribble|10.1%, NHS East Lancashire|0.5%, NHS Fylde and Wyre|2.2%, NHS Greater Preston|10.9%, NHS Morecambe Bay|0.2% and NHS West Lancashire|0.1%), compared to 2.6% at the national level (2024/25).

*Data quality issues with this value

For further information, at county, UA and district level, please see below.

[1] Towards a Smokefree Generation -A Tobacco Control Plan for England 

Page updated October 2025