Blackpool Council Annual Health Report 2019 Blackpool Council Annual Health Report PAGES | Page 15

Smoking in pregnancy is a risk factor for low birthweight and is associated with stillbirth,
sudden infant death syndrome (also known as cot death), and asthma. Despite some
improvement over the past eight years, the percentage of Blackpool mothers smoking at
the time of delivery is more than double the national average and is significantly higher
than the North West average.
THE NUMBER OF MOTHERS KNOWN TO BE SMOKERS AT THE
TIME OF DELIVERY AS A PERCENTAGE OF ALL MATERNITIES
40
30
20
10
0
2010/11
2010/11
2012/13
– BLACKPOOL
2013/14
2014/15
– NORTH WEST
2015/16
2016/17
SMOKING
2017/18
– ENGLAND
As part of a National programme, in 2016/2017 Blackpool CCG received extra funding from
NHS England to address high rates of maternal smoking. The Council’s Public Health team
has worked closely with the CCG to develop an evidence-based model to help women to
stop smoking in pregnancy; midwifery health trainers offer in-house stop smoking services
including tailored behavioural support and direct access to nicotine replacement therapy
for a minimum of 12 weeks. This model of stop smoking service includes an incentive
scheme with the aim to support all pregnant women to set a quit date, achieve a carbon
monoxide (CO) validated four week quit and sustain the quit with support throughout
pregnancy and 12 weeks post-partum (post-natal or following pregnancy). Incentive
payments are offered at stages throughout the pregnancy and evidence has shown this to
be an effective adjunct to traditional smoking cessation methods. In 2018, there was a 44%
increase in the number of women who quit when compared to 2017.
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