A recent report reveals that 13% of French women persist in smoking throughout pregnancy, despite the well-documented health risks associated with the habit.
According to Public Health France, more than one in ten French women continue to smoke during their pregnancies, posing significant health risks to both themselves and their unborn children. The report, based on a 2021 survey of over 1,300 mothers of children under five, indicates that 13% of women smoked during their entire pregnancy—a figure consistent with the previous 2017 survey.
Public Health France has expressed concern over the findings, noting that “tobacco use remains very common” among adults, including pregnant women.
The Health Risks of Smoking During Pregnancy
Smoking while pregnant is strongly linked to a range of adverse health outcomes. France’s national health insurance highlights the increased risks of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and placental abruption associated with smoking during pregnancy. A recent study further emphasized that even light smoking—just one or two cigarettes—before or during pregnancy can lead to severe neonatal health complications.
The report revealed that 24% of mothers smoked when they first discovered they were pregnant. Of these women, 45% quit smoking after learning of their pregnancy or during it, 51% reduced their smoking, and 4% neither quit nor reduced their consumption.
A separate Public Health France survey involving 15,000 women found that 12% of them smoked during their third trimester in 2021, a slight improvement from 16% in 2016.
Challenges in Quitting Smoking During Pregnancy
Caroline Combot, president of the French National Union Organisation of Midwives, explained to Euronews Health that convincing women to completely stop smoking during pregnancy is a significant challenge. “Those who attempt to quit often relapse quickly,” Combot stated, attributing this to a “lack of communication about the difficulties of quitting smoking during pregnancy.”
Combot also highlighted the long wait times to consult with smoking cessation specialists, which further complicates the process for expectant mothers. Without adequate support, many women struggle to quit entirely.
Another factor making it difficult for pregnant women to quit smoking is the influence of their partners. “It’s crucial for both parents to take steps to wean themselves off tobacco,” Combot emphasized, noting that having a smoker in the household makes quitting much more challenging.
Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy
The report also examined alcohol consumption during pregnancy, revealing that 7% of women with young children drank alcohol during their last pregnancy—a slight improvement from 2017.
Combot noted that, unlike cigarette smoking, many women who consume alcohol during pregnancy are not addicted, which may explain the lower percentages.
Continued Prevention Efforts Needed
Public Health France stressed the importance of ongoing prevention and support for women struggling with substance use during pregnancy. The agency underscored that the number of women and children affected is “far from anecdotal,” and suggested that survey results likely underestimate the true extent of smoking and drinking during pregnancy.
As these findings illustrate, despite growing awareness of the health risks, a significant percentage of French women continue to smoke while pregnant, underscoring the need for enhanced support and intervention efforts.