Welsh mums-to-be are more likely to smoke than any of their counterparts in other parts of the UK, it has been revealed.

Figures released by Dr Tony Jewell, Wales' chief medical officer, show nearly four in ten pregnant women in Wales smoke at some stage during their pregnancy, with more than one in five (22 per cent) smoking for the entire nine moth duration.

Meanwhile, a report published by the Wales Centre for Health shows that almost 40 per cent of households with children in Wales contain at least one adult who smokes on a daily basis.
 

Evidence suggests that smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of babies being born prematurely and sudden infant death syndrome, while exposure to passive smoke in pregnancy is associated with a higher chance of miscarriage.

'Smoking is one of the largest single preventable causes of premature death in Wales, and one of the main determinants of health inequalities,' commented Dr Jewell, according to icWales.

'It accounts for more than half the difference in risk of premature death between social classes, with striking differences in prevalence by social position and geography in Wales.'

The report also found that 28 per cent of 15-year-old girls and 19 per cent of 15-year old boys smoked on a regular basis.

Dr Jewell has targeted a reduction in these rates to 25 per cent and 17 per cent respectively.