Despite well-documented health risks, a staggering 13% of French women continue to smoke throughout their pregnancies, according to the latest data from Public Health France. The survey, which gathered responses from over 1,300 mothers of children under five, highlights a concerning trend that has remained largely unchanged since 2017.
Smoking During Pregnancy: The Risks
Smoking during pregnancy has been linked to a multitude of adverse outcomes for both mothers and their babies. Health professionals have long warned that smoking increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, and placental abruption. Even light smoking—just one or two cigarettes a day—has been shown to elevate the chances of severe neonatal complications, according to recent studies. Yet, many women struggle to quit, and the numbers tell a sobering story: 13% of French women smoked throughout their pregnancy in 2021.
The Struggle to Quit
One of the key reasons women continue smoking during pregnancy, according to experts, is the difficulty of quitting. Caroline Combot, president of the French National Union Organisation of Midwives, points out that while many women may try to stop smoking after learning they are pregnant, many relapse quickly. “The lack of support and communication around how hard it is to quit smoking during pregnancy is a major issue,” says Combot.
The recent Public Health France data underscores this challenge: while 45% of women stopped smoking after discovering they were pregnant, 51% only reduced the amount they smoked, and 4% neither reduced nor quit.
Partner Support and External Influence
Combot stresses that support from partners is crucial in helping pregnant women quit smoking. If the woman’s partner continues smoking, it becomes much more difficult for her to stop. “Both parents need to take steps to quit,” she adds, emphasizing the role of the household environment in smoking cessation efforts.
A Call for Better Support
Public Health France highlights the need for continued prevention efforts and better support systems for pregnant women struggling with substance use. With smoking rates during pregnancy showing little improvement over the years, the agency stresses the importance of making smoking cessation programs more accessible and addressing the broader issue of tobacco dependence.
While some progress has been made—particularly in reducing the number of women who smoke during their third trimester—there is still much work to be done. In 2021, 12% of pregnant women reported smoking in their third trimester, down from 16% in 2016. But these figures remain concerning, especially given the well-known risks to both mother and baby.
Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy
The survey also revealed that 7% of women consumed alcohol during their last pregnancy, a slight improvement from the previous data in 2017. However, Public Health France acknowledges that many women are less addicted to alcohol compared to tobacco, which could explain the lower rates of alcohol consumption.
Conclusion
As Public Health France continues to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking and drinking during pregnancy, it is clear that more needs to be done to support women facing these challenges. Greater access to smoking cessation programs, more effective communication, and involvement from family members, especially partners, will play a critical role in curbing these alarming trends.
Related articles:
Top 3 Calcium Supplements for Pregnant Women
Top 8 Foods For Early Pregnancy
Treating Postpartum Depression: 5 Medications That Work
