Stop smoking support helps nearly 2,000 babies avoid premature birth or low birthweight as maternal smoking reaches record low

New analysis by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) estimates that since 2020, accelerated declines in maternal smoking have helped prevent nearly 2,000 babies from being born preterm or with low birthweight, as well as 70 cases of stillbirth, neonatal death and sudden infant death. [1]

The analysis uses new NHS data, released today showing that fewer women in England are smoking during pregnancy than ever before, with 4.2% recorded as smokers in 2025/26, down from 6.1% the previous year[2,3] In 2020/21 the figure was 9.6%. 

Smoking during pregnancy is a leading cause of poor birth outcomes including stillbirth, miscarriage and birth defects.[4]

Health experts have attributed this progress to the rollout of dedicated stop smoking support in maternity services in England since 2020, alongside the introduction of financial incentives for pregnant women who smoke.[5]

Without these interventions, the analysis suggests that an additional 22,000 women would have smoked during pregnancy in 2025/26, significantly increasing their risk of poor birth outcomes and costs to the NHS.

The analysis does not account for the additional health benefits of reducing babies’ exposure to secondhand smoke after birth.

Despite the progress, the Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group[6] is warning that substantial inequalities remain, with women from the most deprived backgrounds around five times more likely to smoke during pregnancy than those from the least deprived backgrounds. The Challenge Group is calling on the Government to publish a roadmap to a smokefree country, including targets to reduce inequalities in smoking between the most and least deprived, alongside protecting funding for quit support in maternity services. 

John Waldron, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Action on Smoking and Health said:

“The progress made in reducing maternal smoking rates should be welcomed. However, many women who quit during pregnancy will be returning to households and communities where smoking remains common, increasing the likelihood they will relapse to smoking and putting them and their babies at risk of exposure to harmful secondhand smoke. A national strategy is urgently needed to set out how the government intends help people in the most deprived areas quit smoking for good."

Professor Linda Bauld, Bruce and John Usher Chair in Public Health at the University of Edinburgh and Co-Chair of the Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group said:

“The evidence is clear that stop smoking support for pregnant women has played a vital role in reducing maternal smoking and saving babies’ lives. But too many women, particularly those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, start their pregnancy as smokers, increasing the risk to both mother and baby. The government urgently needs to publish a strategy setting out how it will reduce the stark inequalities in smoking between the most and least advantaged.” 

Dr Clea Harmer, Chief Executive of Sands and Co-Chair of the Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group, said:

“Giving every child a smokefree start in life is pivotal to building a truly smokefree generation. However, quit support in maternity services continues to be threatened by funding cuts which put this lifesaving support at risk. We urge the government to protect these services and ensure every woman can access the help they need to quit for good.”

ENDS

For more information: press@ash.org.uk