Mums-to-be are being offered help to quit smoking.

Support can be provided by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) through the Quit Your Way pregnancy service.

Health chiefs have stressed that smoking during pregnancy can have a number of implications for women and their babies, such as a greater risk of miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight and stillbirth.

It also increases the risk of children developing respiratory conditions and learning difficulties.

The Quit Your Way service offers access to nicotine replacement therapy, as well as initiatives such as a gift card incentive to all women who want to kick the habit.

Geraldine Lucas, health improvement and tobacco control lead at NHSGGC, said: “By quitting smoking during pregnancy, expectant mothers are making a positive choice for themselves and their babies and we are committed to ensuring mothers-to-be have all the support and motivation they need to stop.

“We understand that quitting can be extremely difficult but we are here to help and, as part of our commitment to tackling smoking, our Quit Your Way pregnancy service offers an incentive programme which can provide up to £220 in Love2Shop gift cards to help give mothers that extra bit of motivation to kick the habit and prepare or plan for the arrival of their baby.

“We would encourage all pregnant women who are struggling to quit to reach out to our service and our gift card incentive is a great way to start that journey.

“The benefits of stopping during pregnancy for both mum and baby are very real and, in our current cost-of-living crisis, stopping smoking can help financially too.”

For more on the support available to those who want to stop smoking while pregnant, visit www.nhsinform.scot or call the Quit Your Way helpline on 0800 84 84 84.