Smoke-Free Pregnancy Project
The Smoke-Free Pregnancy Project is a national initiative funded by The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing and in Tasmania is coordinated by Quit Tasmania. The project commenced in Tasmania in November 2007 and has received funding until April 2009.
Aim
The aim of the project is to increase the incidence of smoke-free pregnancies and smoke-free families at the participating hospitals, thereby reducing the adverse outcomes of smoking during pregnancy for mothers, babies and their families.
Health Professionals
The Smoke-Free Pregnancy Project has been established at the Royal Hobart, Launceston General, Mersey Community and North West Private Hospitals. Midwives and Obstetricians in these hospitals are currently receiving training on conducting brief smoking cessation intervention with their pregnant clients.
Brief smoking cessation follows the 5A's framework, an internationally recognised formula from the US Surgeon General's Department. The 5A's framework is:
- ASK – pregnant clients about their smoking
- ADVISE – of the health effects of smoking and the health benefits of quitting smoking
- ASSESS – if a pregnant client is interested in quitting smoking
- ASSIST – with quitting smoking
- ASK AGAIN – at the next visit to follow-up on their progress
Participating Hospitals
Public hospitals in the four major metropolitan areas of Tasmania are currently participating in the Smoke-Free Pregnancy Project representing 80% of all births in Tasmania. Each participating hospital receives training on the 5A's approach for providing and recording brief advice and support to pregnant women and their partners who smoke. Support emphasises the option of a faxed referral to a specialised Quitline, which provides a proactive call-back service tailored to the individual needs of the client. The advisors on the Quitline have been trained in pregnancy specific health outcomes of smokers.
Quitline
The Quitline offers a free and confidential telephone advisory service, allowing clients to speak with a trained advisor about quitting smoking.
Quitline provides:
- Support for smokers planning to quit
- Trained advisor on smoking during pregnancy
- Information on quitting methods and planning a quit attempt
- Strategies for coping with withdrawals/cravings and getting through difficult situations
- Tips for managing stress and weight gain
- Information on Nicotine Replacement Therapy options
- Call-back service
