MORE THAN one in ten mums-to-be in the south west are risking premature birth, cot death, breathing and heart complications in their babies by continuing to smoke during pregnancy, a report has revealed.

NHS statistics released to coincide with National No Smoking Day reveal that more than 5,000 women - equating to 11.3 per cent of mums in the south west - are puffing their way through pregnancy, despite programmes in hospitals including Poole and Bournemouth to help them.

The regional figures are nearly a percentage point up on the national average of 10.7 and double the government's target - which is to cut the number of mums who smoke during pregnancy to just six per cent.

However, Public Health England have defended the statistics and said: "The good news is that overall figures for the south west have been steadily declining in recent years, from 13.5 per cent in 2010/11 down to 11.3 per cent in 2016/17."

However, with the national Tobacco Control Plan for England setting a target to reduce smoking in pregnancy to six percent or lower by 2022 it admitted: "The South West has some way to go to reach this target."

During 2016-2017, 375 mums in Dorset, 177 in Poole and 241 in Bournemouth were smokers at the time of delivery although local hospitals have programmes to identify and assist them at the beginning of their pregnancies.

At all antenatal bookings in Bournemouth and Poole, midwives measure women's CO levels to identify whether they are a smoker, non-smoker or exposed to second hand smoke or carbon monoxide fumes.

If they agree they can be helped to quit the habit. If not they will be offered 'appropriate information' and their smoking status will be reviewed at subsequent antenatal appointments.

Public Health England's Health and Wellbeing Programme Manager, Rosanne Sodzi, said: “Smoking in pregnancy can harm the baby in the womb from day one, so stopping smoking is one of the best things a women can do to protect the health of their baby through pregnancy and beyond.

“It’s important that all health professionals who come into contact with pregnant mums and their families warn them of the risks and offer consistent support and encouragement to help mums stop smoking both during pregnancy and after.”