ONE in five women in East Lancashire smoke while pregnant, new figures show.

According to statistics from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC), the region is doing worse than the national average of 13 per cent - or one in eight expectant mums - at 19 per cent for Blackburn with Darwen, and 21 per cent for the rest of East Lancashire.

Numbers for Blackburn with Darwen have fallen by one per cent compared to those of 2009/10, and in East Lancashire they have remained stable.

Babies born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy are more likely to be born prematurely and at a smaller birth weight, are twice more likely to die of cot death, and are more frequently ill.

A spokesperson for NHS East Lancashire said a number of initiatives have been put in place to encourage pregnant women to stop smoking.

He said: “An example of this is the automatic referral of any women smokers identified at their routine dating scan to ensure they have thorough advice and support to stop smoking during the stages of their pregnancy.

“Midwives also offer a routine carbon monoxide check to the mother at this scan. The presence of carbon monoxide in the body is usually caused through smoking or from second hand smoke and is a very good motivator to encourage people to stop smoking.

“Women who choose to opt out of this referral are still supported and advised of the harmful effects throughout their pregnancy.”

Nobody from Blackburn with Darwen PCT was available to comment yesterday.

Breakdowns also show a distinct north-south divide. The North West Strategic Health Authority (SHA) average figure was 17 per cent, compared to six per cent in the London SHA.

Blackpool PCT had the highest percentage of women classed as smokers at the time of delivery – 29.7 per cent. Four others - Middlesbrough, North East Lincolnshire, Redcar and South Tyneside, had figures above 25 per cent.

Advice is available by calling the Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust on 0800 328 6297 or 01254 380424.