REDUCING smoking rates amongst expectant mums by 7% in the Greater Glasgow area could save the lives of 13 babies a year.

Estimates suggest that 17% – nearly a fifth – of women in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area smoke during their pregnancy, despite repeated warnings of the risks to their offspring.

The health board said pre-natal maternal smoking remains a "significant" issue and has set a target to reduce rates to 10%.

Health leaders believe if this was achieved, there would be 13 fewer stillbirths and 38 fewer miscarriages, based on a delivery rate of 13,860 babies in 2009.

Up to 7.5% of all miscarri-ages are attributable to smoking.

It is thought that achieving the target would also lead to 190 fewer low birth weight deliveries a year. Low birth weight is an important risk factor for infant morbidity and studies show it can raise the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity in later life.

A reduction in the number of smokers would also lead to a reduction in sudden infant death rates.

Pre-natal maternal smoking can increase the risk of sudden infant death by as much as five times.

The total annual cost to the NHS of smoking during pregnancy is estimated to range between £8.1million and £64m for treating the resulting problems for mothers and between £12m and £23.5m for treating infants aged 0–12 months.

Smoking rates across Scotland have fallen considerably as a result of smoking legislation and other initiatives. Around 24% of the population are smokers. But that figure means the government target of reducing the percentage of smokers in Scotland's population to 22% by 2010 was not achieved.

Rates across NHSGGC are higher than the Scottish average at 26%, with levels above 50% in some of the boards most deprived communities.

However, the number of people smoking in Glasgow has dropped from 32% in 2007-2008 to 29% in the last year.

Inverclyde remains a problem area with a significant increase in smoking prevalence, from 25% to 31% , one of the highest levels in Scotland.

Fiona Dunlop, Health Improvement Officer for NHSGGC said: "There is a measurable impact of reducing smoking to 10% and it would happen quite quickly.

"This is the message that we are trying to get across.

"There are true benefits to the health of the baby and the mother."

Women are offered one-to-one help to kick the habit as part of a range of stop-smoking services run by the health board.

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk