The Tasmanian Greens are urging the Health Minister Michelle O’Byrne MP to develop an action plan to reduce the smoking rates of Tasmanian women during pregnancy, particularly in younger mothers.
Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP today welcomed the Federal Government’s ”Quit For You, Quit For Two” campaign, saying Tasmania had the highest rate of smoking during pregnancy in the country.
Mr O’Halloran said figures from the Council of Obstetric and Paediatric Mortality and Morbidity Annual Report showed 23% of Tasmanian mothers self reported smoking while pregnant, the highest in the nation and 10% higher than the national average, with an alarming 46.8% of teenage mothers self reporting smoking while pregnant.
“Close to one in four Tasmanian mothers self report smoking while pregnant, which is the highest in the nation and 10% higher than the national average,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“What’s truly alarming is that close to half of all Tasmanian teenage mothers are self reporting smoking while pregnant, a figure so shockingly high that it’s difficult to believe.”
“There is a statistically significant link between low birth weight, pre-term birth, poor foetal outcomes and smoking while pregnant.”
“This is entirely preventable, which is why we are calling on the Minister to develop an urgent action plan to address the ongoing public health impacts across our community, and the associated cost to our public health system.”
“Recent attention has focused on concerning national smoking statistics, but Tasmania’s poor record, especially for pregnant teenagers, must not be overlooked.”
“We must do everything possible to turn Tasmania’s smoking rates around so we are leading the nation.”
Link: Council of Obstetric & Paediatric Mortality & Morbidity Annual Report 2010:
http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/112444/2010_COPMM_ANNUAL_REPORT_Tasmania.pdf
Paul O’Halloran MP Greens Health Spokesperson Monday, 5 November 2012
