Tobacco smoking in pregnancy

Nearly one in five women in Australia smoke tobacco during pregnancy. The smoking rate in pregnant women varies between states and territories from 13% in NSW and ACT to 27% in Tasmania and 29% in the Northern Territory. There is a strong association between social inequality and smoking during pregnancy. More than 40% of teenagers report smoking during pregnancy and over half of Indigenous pregnant women smoke. Smoking rates during pregnancy are increased in women who are multiparous, are born in Australia, have a lower sociodemographic status, have unbooked confinements and have a lack of antenatal care in their first trimester.