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New Post-Partum Protocol for Cessation Counseling
6/6/2008
Protocol Tackles High Relapse Rate of New Mothers with Encouragement, Support
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Up to half of all women who quit smoking during pregnancy resume smoking within six months and up to 80 percent start smoking again within 12 months. Relapsing after a baby is born puts the mother at risk and increases chances that the infant may suffer from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma and ear infections. Because of the serious consequences of post partum tobacco use, a new counseling protocol is being introduced into state quit lines, which will focus on support, encouragement and the issues that matter most to post-partum women.
“Many women smokers are able to quit successfully when they find out they are pregnant. They have the best motivation there is — having a healthy baby. Temptation often returns after baby arrives, often brought on by stress, and with such high relapse rates among women who start smoking after giving birth, it was critical that we develop a protocol focused on encouragement and relapse prevention,” said Dr. Cheryl Healton, President and CEO of the American Legacy Foundation.
A collaborative effort among experts, including the American Legacy Foundation, American Cancer Society, Environmental Protection Agency, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Academy of Pediatrics and The National Partnership for Smoke Free Families, this newly developed post-partum protocol is an extension of the American Legacy Foundation’s Great Start® initiative. Launched in 2001 after evidence revealed that smoking negatively impacts the health of unborn babies, Great Start was the first national quit line and media campaign to help women quit smoking during pregnancy. This new protocol will continue the effort. To address tobacco addiction in the first few months post partum, protect infants from exposure to second hand smoke, and encourage women to stay tobacco-free.
“We want to ensure that women have the support they need and this new post-partum protocol is tailored to these women’s special needs,” said Dr. Cathy Melvin of the National Partnership for Smoke-Free Families.
The new protocol emphasizes topics such as relapse prevention, risks of secondhand smoke exposure and the health benefits of quitting smoking for mother and infant. Additionally, it touches upon potential and underlying issues such as post partum depression, stress and miscarriage. An appendix for counselors to use as a reference tool during counseling sessions is also included.
"Pregnant and post-partum women can call the toll-free quit line (1-800-QUIT-NOW) to receive free counseling and learn how to quit and stay quit now. In addition, the post-partum protocol will be incorporated and used by the American Cancer Society Quitlines® at 1-800-ACS-2345.
The American Legacy Foundation® is dedicated to building a world where young people reject tobacco and anyone can quit. Located in Washington, D.C., the foundation develops programs that address the health effects of tobacco use, especially among vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by the toll of tobacco, through grants, technical assistance and training, partnerships, youth activism, and counter-marketing and grassroots marketing campaigns. The Foundation’s programs include truth®, a national youth smoking prevention campaign that has been cited as contributing to significant declines in youth smoking; EX®, an innovative public health program designed to speak to smokers in their own language and change the way they approach quitting; research initiatives exploring the causes, consequences and approaches to reducing tobacco use; and a nationally-renowned program of outreach to priority populations. The American Legacy Foundation was created as a result of the November 1998 Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) reached between attorneys general from 46 states, five U.S. territories and the tobacco industry. Visit http://www.americanlegacy.org.
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Contact: Julia Cartwright, 202-454-5596, jcartwright@americanlegacy.org