More than one in every ten pregnant women in Norfolk smoke during their pregnancy, new figures have revealed. The county had the highest rates of smoking in pregnancy across the East of England in 2017/18, and Norfolk County Council Public Health is aiming to raise awareness of the risks. Smoking in pregnancy is harmful for both the mother and the unborn child. Carbon monoxide enters the mother's blood, together with around 4,000 other cigarette chemicals, and limits the oxygen that reaches the baby. Research has shown there are several poor birth outcomes associated with smoking during pregnancy including an increased risk of the baby being born prematurely, being born too small or even dyi... [Read more]