Nearly one in six women in Medway smoke during pregnancy, according to a report.

Smoking is estimated to cause the deaths of 5,000 unborn babies each year in the UK, with women who light up while pregnant at greater risk of miscarriage or stillbirth.

Babies born to mothers who smoke are more likely to be born prematurely and underweight, at higher risk of asthma and infections, and could develop learning difficulties.

Despite the risks, 16.3% of mums-to-be in the Towns in 2015/16 were still smoking at the time of delivery – much higher than the national average of 10.5%.

The latest heath and wellbeing board report says smoking in pregnancy remains a problem in Medway, despite a specialist stop-smoking service for expectant women.

Other areas have trialled using shopping vouchers as an incentive to encourage women to quit. A study found one-fifth in the scheme stopped smoking by the time they gave birth, more than twice the rate achieved using traditional
support services.

But Medway’s director of public health Alison Barnett said the scheme had not been used in Medway because of insufficient evidence to demonstrate how effective it is in the long term, and said it was more important to concentrate on health care staff being equipped to motivate women to quit.

GP Julian Spinks believes the voucher scheme could work in the Towns.

He said: “It might be something to think about.

“Someone is more likely to do something when there is a reward. Having a healthy baby is only a potential benefit whereas the vouchers are a real benefit so could help to tip the balance.”

He added: “We have a specialist smoking-in-pregnancy service here in Medway but that still depends on the individual deciding to quit. We need more education on the risks and that should start in schools.

“Women might see friends who have had a successful pregnancy while smoking and it will lead them to think it is safe, when it most definitely is not.

“They might wrongly think smoking during pregnancy will make labour easier because the baby will be lighter.

“Most people are aware of the dangers of smoking but not as knowledgeable about the dangers to babies. When you smoke your baby smokes with you. It can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or unfit, sickly babies.”

Expectant Medway mums are referred to the stop-smoking service and offered one to one support from a smoking-in -pregnancy specialist.

• Mums-to-be can contact 0800 234 6805 or 07990 583195 or email medwaystopsmokingservice@nhs.net