Which country tops smoking in pregnancy table?

By Rob Dabrowski on 22 June 2018 Smoking Pregnancy Prevention Research

The three countries with the highest estimated prevalence of smoking during pregnancy are Ireland (38·4%), Uruguay (29·7%), and Bulgaria (29·4%).

The figures come from a systematic review of global smoking prevalence during pregnancy.
  
The authors extracted data from 295 studies and calculated estimates via meta-analysis for 43 countries and via statistical modelling for 131 countries. 

They found that the global prevalence of smoking during pregnancy was estimated to be 1·7% 

But the prevalence of smoking during pregnancy in Europe was 8·1%.

Globally, of those who smoked daily, more than half (52·9%) continued to smoke daily during pregnancy. 
 
The research was funded by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and has been published in The Lancet.

The abstract states: ‘Smoking during pregnancy is still a prevalent behaviour in many countries. 

‘These findings should inform smoking prevention programmes and health promotion strategies, as well as draw attention to the need for improved access to smoking cessation programmes for pregnant women.’

To read the full paper, click here.