MORE women are quitting smoking whilst pregnant in Somerset than any other area of the South West, according to new data.

New figures from Somerset County Council’s department of public health revealed that 54 per cent of pregnant woman who set a quitting date were successful in kicking the habit.

In Somerset, 156 women set a quitting date and 85 were successful between April and June. This is the highest number of all the local authorities in the South West.

Somerset was followed by Cornwall, with 99 setting dates and 45 quitting successfully, and Bristol, with 37 setting dates and six quitting. The county council credits its high quitting numbers to its Mums2Be service.

A spokesperson for Somerset County Council said: “These are fantastic numbers. Behind them are teams of midwives, maternity care assistants and specialist stop smoking in pregnancy advisors working tirelessly to support women who, for whatever reason, weren’t able to quit smoking when they became pregnant even if they really wanted to.

“The service has been carefully developed over the last seven years, gradually evolving from a small pilot, and is now recognised as a gold standard service nationally.

“Even more importantly, the service has undoubtedly helped parents avoid many adverse health consequences that can arise from smoking in pregnancy, including miscarriage and stillbirths.”

“Preventing the tragedy of stillbirths is now a major national priority, and reducing smoking in pregnancy has a huge part to play in achieving that aim.”

The Mums2Be Smokefree service is delivered by the council in partnership with the maternity teams at Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil Hospital, Smokefreelife Somerset and Somerset CCG.

Mums are referred to the service through the hospitals during check-ups; 72 of the 85 mums who have self-reported their success in quitting have been confirmed with CO validation.