THE NUMBER of women across Bradford smoking in the final stages of pregnancy rose during the first three months of 2015/16, new figures have revealed.

Quarterly statistics released by the Health and Social Care Information Centre found that 15 per cent of expectant mothers across the district, 315 out of 2,080, still classed themselves as smokers when giving birth between April and the end of June.

This figure was up from 278 out of 1,964 mothers, a rate of 14 per cent, for the three months to the end of March.

The highest rate of smoking mums-to-be was found within the Bradford Districts Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area - which covers areas such as Bingley, Shipley, Saltaire, Heaton, and Tong - with a figure of 18.3 per cent, up from 16.9 per cent during the previous three months.

The rate is the second highest in West Yorkshire, behind Wakefield with 19.1 per cent, and above the regional average for Yorkshire and the Humber at 14.6 per cent.

Within the Bradford City CCG area, which covers the city centre, the rate increased from 9.8 per cent in the last quarter of 2014/15 to 10.8 per cent in the three months to the end of June.

In the Airedale, Wharfedale, and Craven CCG area, the figure fell from 12.9 per cent to 12.3 per cent.

Nationally, the number of women smoking at the time of delivery fell from 11.1 per cent to 10.7 per cent, the first time the figure has fallen below the government target of 11 per cent.

Councillor Ralph Berry, executive member for health and social care at Bradford Council, said the authority was working with hospitals to create a midwifery-based stop smoking service.

"We are aware of the difference in the rates of women smoking at the time of delivery across the district and target support and resources in areas with higher smoking rates," he said.

Shirley Brierley, consultant in public health at the Council, said pregnant women were asked about their smoking status and given a carbon monoxide screening during their first appointment with a midwife.

"The public health department works with local GPs, hospitals, children’s centres and other partners to provide stop smoking support to women who are pregnant or planning to have a baby," she said.

"Protecting your baby from tobacco smoke is one of the best things you can do to give your child a healthy start in life.

"This is one of key areas of focus for 2015/16 within the Every Baby Matters Action plan, which aims to reduce infant deaths and improve maternal and child health."