NUMBERS of heavily pregnant women across Airedale who continue to smoke have fallen, new figures show.

Data reveals that in the final three months of last year, 11.1 per cent of expectant mothers – equating to 46 out of 432 – classed themselves as smokers at the time of giving birth.

The figure – down from 14.9 per cent for the previous three months – relates to the area covered by the Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

The neighbouring Bradford Districts CCG area, which includes Bingley and Shipley, has the highest rate of smoking mums-to-be in the county – 215 women, or 19.2 per cent.

Dr Shirley Brierley, public health consultant for Bradford Council, said the authority worked with GPs, hospitals, children's centres and other partners to provide stop-smoking support to women prior to, and during, pregnancy.

"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," she said.

"Midwives are key to helping pregnant women quit smoking and, at their first appointment, all women are asked about their smoking status and a carbon monoxide screening is carried out.

"If you’re planning on having a baby, the sooner you stop smoking the better."

Rosemary Dodds, senior policy advisor at NCT, the UK’s largest parenting charity, added: "Although it’s hard to stop smoking, protecting babies from tobacco smoke is one of the best things you can do to give them a healthy start in life."