One in five pregnant women in Dundee smoke, new figures show.
The Births at Scottish Hospitals report also reveals that less than a third of expectant mums in the city are a healthy weight, which is the worst in the country.
A cancer charity said the NHS Scotland figures for 2017-18 are “deeply concerning” and called for legal restrictions on multi-buy deals for junk food and more cash to help people quit cigarettes.
In Dundee, 21.2% of women revealed they were smokers at their first antenatal booking appointment, which normally takes place within the first three months of pregnancy.
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That compares with 18.7% in both Angus and Fife, and 16.2% in Perth & Kinross.
Ministers say smoking rates are falling, adding they are looking at restrictions on the promotion and marketing of junk food.
The percentage of pregnant women with a healthy BMI in Dundee was the lowest in Scotland at 31.7%. Nationally the figure is 42.0%.
Edinburgh professor Linda Bauld, from Cancer Research UK, said: “Tackling obesity is complex but laws to restrict supermarket multi-buy offers on junk food would be an effective measure, helping everyone, including mums-to-be, from filling their shopping trolleys with foods high in fat and sugar.”
Calling for more support for the Quit Your Way service, the cancer prevention expert added: “We need to ensure further investment in this vital service if we’re to support more pregnant women to achieve a smoke-free pregnancy.”
Health Secretary Jeanne Freeman said they are working on an action plan with NHS Health Scotland to hit home to women the importance of a healthy weight and diet, as well the dangers of tobacco and alcohol.
The SNP MSP added: “To tackle our nation’s damaging relationship with junk food we are also consulting on restricting the in-store promotion and marketing of food that is high in fat, sugar or salt but with little or no nutritional benefit.”
