Publish date: 2 July 2026
Smoking in pregnancy falls to record low of 3% at Northumbria Healthcare
Smoking during pregnancy across Northumbria Healthcare has fallen to just 3% at the time of delivery - one of the lowest rates in the country.
The Best Start in Life team, launched within Northumbria Healthcare in May 2022 to help women and families achieve a smokefree pregnancy, has been instrumental in achieving these results. The teams offer ongoing and tailored support from the early stages of pregnancy and beyond.
In 2025/26, 72% of women who engaged with the Best Start in Life pathway quit smoking - an improvement of 10% on the previous year.
The team offers free quitting support, including free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), licensed e-cigarettes, and are also part of the National Pregnancy Incentive Scheme.
The team is one of eight to receive extra funding from North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) to support their work. Across the region, the number of women smoking at the time of delivery has dropped from 13% to 5% in just five years – meaning 2,155 fewer women still smoking when they give birth.
Chelsea Brown 29, from Guide Post, Northumberland, was supported by Best Start in Life advisor Claire during her pregnancy with daughter Dulcie.
After experiencing previous pregnancy complications, including placental rupture and miscarriage, Claire’s support helped Chelsea to stop smoking and have a healthy pregnancy.
She said: “During my last two pregnancies, I was told to stop smoking after I had a placental rupture, which they said could be linked to smoking. I had also previously miscarried, so when I found out I was pregnant again, I wanted to give quitting my best chance.
“At my first appointment with Claire, we sat down, talked things through and set goals, which really helped me stay on track. Claire wasn’t just there to support me with quitting smoking – she listened, supported me and gave advice on everything to do with my pregnancy. My partner stopped smoking too, and Claire worked with him so we could support each other.
“My feelings about smoking have completely changed. My children don’t smell of smoke, my house doesn’t smell of smoke, and even food tastes different. It feels amazing knowing my daughter isn’t around second-hand smoke and that we’re both healthy.
“With the money we’ve saved, we’ve been able to buy Dulcie new things and even start saving towards a new house.
“If I can stop smoking, I think anyone can.”
Carla Anderson, public health matron for maternity, children and young people, said: “The sustained drop in smoking rates shows that women in our care at Northumbria Healthcare can overcome tobacco dependency.
“Our Best Start in Life pathway is unique and built on a holistic model of care, giving consistent and trusted support throughout pregnancy, which is key to achieving a successful quit.
“Quitting smoking in pregnancy is one of the best things you can do for your health and your baby’s, with lifelong benefits for both, so it’s fantastic to see such a significant reduction in smoking rates.
“I’d like to say a huge thank-you to our Best Start in Life team for the exceptional care they provide every day. I’m incredibly proud of the team, and of the women and families we support, for this achievement.”
Katy Lissaman, head of midwifery at Northumbria Healthcare, added:
“We’ve reduced our smoking at time of delivery rate to just 3% of all women booked into our care across Northumberland and North Tyneside.
“We’re leading the way with a highly supportive smoking cessation pathway during pregnancy, giving us a real opportunity to improve outcomes for both mums and babies.
“This significant reduction has been achieved by offering pregnant women who smoke additional, personalised support through our Best Start in Life advisors. Working closely with midwives, they provide consistent and tailored care, supporting women in a way that meets their individual needs throughout pregnancy.
“Quitting smoking at any stage of pregnancy delivers immediate benefits for both mum and baby — but the earlier we can provide support, the better the outcomes.”
Louise Gray, director of public health at North Tyneside Council said: “Reducing smoking in pregnancy is one of the most important things we can do to give babies the best start in life, and I’m extremely proud that North Tyneside now has one of the lowest rates in the country. These figures reflect a strong commitment from colleagues across maternity services, public health and our wider partners to support pregnant women and tackle the harms of smoking.
"While there is still more to do, these results show what we can achieve when we work together with our residents in a strong partnership, with a clear focus on creating better lives for all.”
Gill O’Neill, executive director of public health, stronger communities and inequalities at Northumberland County Council said: “This is such an achievement and what a difference it is making to the lives of our mothers and babies born in Northumberland. Such dedication, passion and determination to get to this point. So proud of the collective efforts and I know we won't stop here. Thank you to all the teams involved.”
Smoking during pregnancy is the leading modifiable risk factor for poor birth outcomes, including stillbirth, miscarriage, and pre-term birth. It also triples the risk of sudden infant death.
Smoking during pregnancy restricts oxygen to the unborn baby, exposing them to harmful toxins which can be extremely harmful to the growing baby.
Work is also happening across the NHS in the region for Tobacco Dependency Treatment Services to support patients to overcome their tobacco dependency while in hospital.
For more information: www.northumbria.nhs.uk/smokefree-pregnancy
Media contact: Alice Millican, Marketing and Communications Officer – Public Health