Action from NEL Maternity Tobacco Leads Network

All clinicians play an important role in addressing tobacco use and supporting pregnant people with stopping smoking. Pregnant people who smoke often feel they will be judged or feel like a failure for not being able to quit, likewise many they do not believe they will be able cope without smoking. Encouraging them through their quit attempt in a non-judgmental and supportive manner and helping normalise the feelings and challenges they may be experiencing is an important part of supporting pregnant people with stopping smoking. Identifying who smokes, advising them of the benefits of quitting and referring smokers to evidence-based stop smoking support is an important component of the role of primary care clinicians. 

Research shows pregnant people who live with a smoker are six times more likely to smoke throughout pregnancy and those who manage to quit are more likely to relapse once the baby is born. If partners or significant others can also make a quit attempt then the pregnant woman stands a better chance of quitting herself.

Please download the full copy of: The clinical case for smoking cessation for pregnant women