Nearly one in 10 pregnant women in Bolton were smoking at the time their child was delivered, a figure which has led to a call for more education to tackle the problem.

NHS England figures for the former NHS Bolton CCG show 325 of 3,409 mothers were smokers at time of delivery in 2022-23, which is 9.5 percent.

Nationally, 8.8 percent of pregnant women were smoking at time of delivery in 2022-23, a slight fall from 9.1 percent the year before.

The data comes as the Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group forecast the government's target to reduce rates of maternal smoking to six percent by 2022 will only be met in 2032.

The Bolton News: Pregnant woman

Cllr Linda Thomas, cabinet member for adults, health and wellbeing at the council, said there was an urgent need to help mums try to quit smoking.

Cllr Thomas said: “This is a disappointing statistic as it is well known the adverse effect smoking can have on the unborn child.

“We used to have a programme to support pregnant women try to quit smoking as we understood the need to help pregnant women fight their addiction to tobacco.

“We need to stress further the dangers of nicotine to unborn children and offer help to those mums trying to quit.

“This is an important issue that needs raising continually.”

In January 2022, it was revealed that all patients who smoke that are admitted to the Royal Bolton Hospital would be offered support to go smoke free with free nicotine replacement and expert behavioural support from a team of specialist nurses.

Professor Linda Bauld, co-chair of the Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group, said helping more mums-to-be quit smoking spares dozens of families from losing their baby to stillbirth or miscarriage, as well as easing pressure on vital NHS services.

A Department of Health and Social Care said it is committed to reducing smoking rates, particularly among pregnant women.

A spokesperson added the department has a new financial incentive scheme, in the form of vouchers, which will be offered to all pregnant women who smoke by the end of 2024.

The spokesperson said: "Women who receive incentives are more than twice as likely to quit as those who do not and schemes like this help women to engage with stop smoking support and remain smokefree throughout their pregnancy."

They added a smokefree treatment pathway will be introduced for pregnant women by March 2024 where women who smoke will be referred for specialist support.