WEST Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership (WYHCP) is launching a new campaign to create awareness and support for pregnant women wanting to quit smoking.

The campaign, which begins on Monday (January 30) highlights tobacco use as the leading preventable cause of miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal deaths.

Despite these risks being well told, according to NHS research, 8.8 per cent of UK mothers were smokers at the time of delivery.

For West Yorkshire, the figure is higher – at 11.5 per cent.

Robin Tuddenham, CEO for Calderdale Council and co-chair of the WYHCP’s Improving Population Health Programme, said: “Evidence shows that babies born to smokers experience health effects that extend into childhood, for example low birth weight, weak lungs, more sick days and asthma.

“This campaign aims to reduce the number of young mums known to be smokers at the time of delivery by providing the right support.

“It’s never too late - every day makes a difference to both mum and baby’s health.”

WYHCP has developed campaign resources following a literature review of the latest best practice, insight from local pregnant women and the experience and the views of regional healthcare professionals.

The resources can be used across various channels, in person and virtually, by downloading them at www.mums-can.co.uk from January 30.