NHS Lanarkshire’s Quit Your Way team has joined forces with Public Health Scotland, NHS 24, and health boards across the country to launch a new social media campaign encouraging pregnant women to quit smoking and raising awareness of the free support available to them and their families.
Tobacco dependency during pregnancy is the biggest preventable cause of harm to babies in Scotland. It is linked to almost 1 in 10 newborn deaths and more than 1 in 5 deaths in young children, underlining the urgent need for action.
The new campaign features videos from NHS Lanarkshire stop-smoking adviser, Sara Geldart, who explains the risks of smoking during pregnancy and highlights the support, guidance, and free stop-smoking products offered by the NHS Quit Your Way service. This support is available not only for expectant mums but also for partners and family members who want to quit together.
The benefits of stopping smoking during pregnancy include:
- reduce the risk of having a miscarriage or baby being stillborn
- reduce the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), previously known as cot death
- the baby’s more likely to be born a healthy weight and full-term (at around 40 weeks) – babies born too early and underweight are more likely to have feeding and breathing problems
- the baby’s less likely to be born with health problems like asthma or a cleft lip and/or palate
- saving money – just a month of not smoking could save families around £200
By working together, health organisations across Scotland hope this campaign will reach as many families as possible, empowering expectant mothers and their loved ones to take this positive step for their health and their baby’s future.
Tracy Henderson, Health Improvement Senior – Quit Your Way Specialist Pregnancy Service, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Tobacco dependency is a long-term medical condition, and nicotine is as addictive as cocaine.
“When a woman smokes during pregnancy, or when she is exposed to second-hand smoke, oxygen to the baby is restricted making the baby’s heartbeat faster and exposing the baby to harmful toxins. As a result, smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke during pregnancy is responsible for an increased rate of stillbirth, miscarriage and birth defects.
“Protecting both mum and baby’s health from tobacco smoke is one of the best things to give a child a healthy start in life, it’s never too late during pregnancy to quit.”
Cheryl Clark, Director of Midwifery, NHS Lanarkshire, commented: “Our staff strive to deliver the best care possible for new babies and parents.
“Pregnant women can be assured that our midwives will never judge them or their family for smoking; our role is to offer support and encouragement.
“Midwives carry out a simple carbon monoxide breath test at the booking appointment and at key points throughout pregnancy. At any stage, women can also request a carbon monoxide test or ask to be referred to the Quit Your Way team for support.”
K Mills, from Motherwell who quit smoking support from the service, said: “As soon as I found out I was pregnant I knew I wanted to stop smoking.
“My midwife told me about the Quit Your Way service and referred me. I received a call from them a couple of days later. I was really happy that they called as I would have found it difficult to do it on my own.
“I received phone support and they posted patches to my house for me.
“The most positive impact of not smoking has been on my mental health. My mental health is a lot better, I am less stressed and agitated. I feel my physical health has also improved, I am less out of breath going up and down the stairs. The money side of things is also a big help. With the money I have saved, I have been buying clothes and toys for my baby girl. It makes me feel better knowing that I am able to spend money on my baby instead of smoking, they are extortionate.”
Contact Quit Your Way
Call the Quit Your Way helpline service on 0800 84 84 84 between Monday and Friday from 9am until 5pm. Or visit NHS Inform’s Smoking and Pregnancy webpage, where there is also an option to select your health board and leave your contact details for us to get back in touch with you.
