One in ten women are putting the lives of their unborn babies at risk by smoking while pregnant.

Figures show 1,825 women across Sussex continued to light up during their pregnancy over a one year period.

Health bosses warn that cigarettes can increase the risk of miscarriage or premature birth and the baby could also be born smaller and have birth defects.

Giving up smoking is said to improve the health of the mother and they are less likely to suffer complications when they go into labour.

The latest information from the Health and Social Care Information Centre show that out of 16,843 pregnancies between April 2012 and the end of March this year, 10.8% of mothers were smokers.

The overall number has been falling but rates in some parts of the county are significantly higher than others. Just 6.7% of women in Brighton and Hove, 209, still smoked, compared to 20% in Hastings and Rother where 386 women were lighting up.

A total of 835 women in West Sussex, 9.7%, had also not kicked the habit compared to 12%, 395, women in the East Sussex Downs and Weald area.

Good news

The actual number could be higher because not every mother may admit they are doing it.

Research has shownthat people who smoke are more likely to be living in more deprived areas, such as Hastings and parts of Brighton and Hove.

A spokesman for the public health team in West Sussex said: “The trend in West Sussex shows the number of pregnant women smoking decreasing and this is good news.

“We have a robust priority referral system to the specialist stop smoking service for all pregnant women and their partners.

“NHS midwives working locally have special monitors that show pregnant women how much carbon monoxide is being transferred to their unborn babies, acting as an additional motivator.

“The advice is that pregnant women should stop smoking totally for their health and their unborn baby.”

Janet Fyle, professional policy advisor at the Royal College of Midwives, said: “The number of women smoking in pregnancy appears to be decreasing, however, the latest figures demonstrate the links between smoking and deprivation.”

Details of local free NHS stop smoking services are available on 0300 100 1823.