Tobacco use: maternal smoking

Statistics on maternal smoking in Scotland are available from the Antenatal booking in Scotland 2023 publication.  

Time trend

In 2023, women reported smoking in 11% of pregnancies with a known smoking status. The proportion has decreased slightly each year since collection of antenatal booking returns first began, having fallen steadily from 12.6% in 2020.

By age

In 2023 smoking at antenatal booking was most commonly reported in the under 20 age group (26.8%). The 35-39 age group had the lowest percentage of smoking reported (7.8%).

By SIMD quintile

Deprivation is a key risk factor for smoking. In 2023, women from the most deprived areas reported being a current smoker in 20.4% of pregnancies where smoking status was known. This compares with 2.4% in the least deprived areas.

By NHS board

The percentage of women reporting smoking at antenatal booking in Scotland varies by NHS board. In 2022/23, the highest prevalence was in Dumfries & Galloway (17%) while Orkney had the lowest prevalence (7%). Care should be taken when comparing NHS boards as estimates are not age-standardised. Furthermore, there are differences across boards in the percentage of women whose smoking status has been recorded as "not known". As some of those recorded as "not known" may be smokers, the true smoking prevalence may be underestimated.

Stop Smoking

The annual Stop Smoking statistics published by PHS hold data on the number of pregnant women accessing smoking cessation services. In 2022/23, there were 942 quit attempts by pregnant women. Of these, 53.7% (506) had quit smoking by four weeks and 41.1% (387) by twelve weeks. The twelve-week quit rate has been improving from 14% in 2013/14. Quit attempts by pregnant smokers are only available in the annual Stop Smoking publication.