SCOTLAND’S most senior midwife has called for every baby to be born free from the effects of smoke as figures show smoking in pregnancy has fallen to the lowest level on record.

Scottish Government statistics show the number of expectant mothers who identified as smokers when making their first appointment with midwives has fallen to 14.8 per cent, down 1.3 per cent on the previous year and half the number in 1998.

Mary Ross-Davie, director of the Royal College of Midwives in Scotland, has signed up to be a champion for Scotland’s charter for a tobacco-free generation.

She will be a champion for principle one on the charter, which states that every baby should be born free from the harmful effects of tobacco.

Ms Ross-Davie said: “Scotland has made fantastic progress in protecting children from second-hand smoke over the last five years. The charter gives everyone who works with children and families a helpful guide to making the dream of a tobacco-free generation a reality.

“By looking at young parents as individuals we can find routes to a smokefree lifestyle that helps not only mother and baby but the people around them who can make all the difference to achieving a smoke-free lifestyle. Let’s involve grandparents and friends, as well as the key professional support staff.”