Pregnant smokers ‘fear doctor’s judgment’

Over a quarter (28 per cent) of pregnant smokers do not seek help on quitting the habit, as they fear judgment by their doctor, according to an NHS survey.

The poll of 224 women also found 38 per cent hid their tendency, due to the worry of receiving criticism, while 39 per cent admitted they would not admit it to a midwife or healthcare professional.

In a wider survey of 2,000 people, almost half (49 per cent) said they were critical of smokers who were carrying a baby.

Dr Miriam Stoppard, a backer of the campaign, said: “Pregnancy can be a particularly difficult time to stop [the habit].”

“Rather than stigmatising these women, we should be guiding them to their local NHS Stop Smoking Service for expert advice and support.”

The poll’s results have been revealed to coincide with the launch of an advertising campaign to persuade the 17 per cent of pregnant smokers in England to stop.

Last month, the NHS launched a children’s health and diet survey, entitled How Are the Kids?.