The Government will today (5 November) bring their Tobacco and Vapes Bill to Parliament, introducing tougher measures to better protect the public, NHS and the economy from the harms of smoking.
Given the significant harms of smoking to maternal and fetal health, the RCOG is particularly supportive of the plans to create a smokefree generation.
In England, about 6.5% of women smoke at time of delivery, and sadly rates are higher in disadvantaged areas. Additionally, women under the age of 20 are twice as likely than those of all ages to smoke before and during pregnancy.
Therefore the proposal to gradually raise the age of sale of tobacco products so that anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 will never be legally sold tobacco products has the potential to quickly have a positive impact on pregnancy outcomes.
RCOG President Ranee Thakar said:
“Smoking in pregnancy is the single biggest modifiable risk factor for poor birth outcomes, increasing the risks of stillbirth, miscarriage, preterm birth, low birthweight, heart defects and sudden infant death.
“Action on smoking has huge potential to improve maternity outcomes, create the healthiest generation of children ever, and prioritise prevention to keep people in good health for longer.”
- The RCOG will be responding to the consultation on this Bill, and more information on our work in this area can be found here.
- The RCOG is pleased to have joined other Royal Colleges to urge MPs across parliament to continue to support this Bill – to usher in a new, healthier smoke free generation. Read our joint letter here.