100 “Smoke-Free” Babies on World No Tobacco Day
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 29 May 2020
- Last updated on: 29 May 2020
Ahead of World No Tobacco Day 2020 the “Supporting Pregnant Women to Quit and Stay Quit” initiative has had its 100th referral since the Sláintecare supported integrated care programme was launched three months ago.
Expectant mums are this week endorsing the success of the “Supporting Pregnant Women to Quit and Stay Quit” programme as being an illustration of Sláintecare’s aim to deliver the right care, in the right place and at the right time.
Laura Keeley, 34 years old and from Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, is expecting her first baby in September. Laura was referred to the service by her midwife and says:
“I didn’t really know what to expect, but it’s a lovely friendly environment and I would recommend it to anyone who’s thinking of quitting."
Prior to joining the programme, Laura had smoked for more than 10 years and signed up for the programme in March.
Thanks to the intensive one-to-one contact provided to participants of the programme, and the wraparound support of the participants’ midwives, GPs, other healthcare providers, and families, the programme has a success rate of around 50% after four weeks. This is above the national average and has been validated by Carbon Monoxide tests with participants. The home environment is the most important indicator of smoking in later life, so the families taking part in this programme are giving their babies the best possible start, as well as the other benefits of a smoke-free pregnancy and home.
“Supporting Pregnant Women to Quit and Stay Quit” operates as a dedicated support for pregnant women and their families, taking referrals across the four maternity hospitals and primary care and community services settings in the South East (counties Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford).
Kate Cassidy, a Health and Wellbeing officer with the HSE/South East Community Healthcare services, outlines the aim of the Sláintecare funded programme piloted across the South East:
“Stopping smoking is the best thing you can do for yourself and your baby. We know, of course, that it can be difficult to do. We also know, however, that mums want to give their baby the best possible start in life. By using our 1:1 intensive stop smoking service or telephone support, participants can increase their chances of quitting fourfold."
Nearly half of pregnant women who set a quit date with their stop smoking service go on to quit successfully. No matter what stage you are at in your pregnancy, it is never too late to stop smoking.
You and your partner or others in your household who want to quit, or support you to quit, will get the non-judgemental support you need. Ask your midwife, GP, healthcare provider or practice nurse to refer you to the “Supporting Pregnant Women to Quit and Stay Quit".
Once referred, a Smoking Cessation officer will talk to you about your smoking habits and help you to build a plan to quit smoking. They will help you build confidence and motivate you to quit. It will be your plan. It will help you to build coping skills and avoid risky situations for you. When you stop smoking, both you and your baby will feel the benefits immediately. Carbon monoxide and other chemicals will quickly leave your body. This means that there’ll be more oxygen in your blood, making you and your baby much healthier.
This service, across the South East, is offered free to all pregnant women, women who have had babies or women planning to become pregnant, their partner/spouse and others in the household who want to quit smoking. Clinics are available in Carrick on Suir (the Primary Care Centre, Pil Rd.), Waterford (the Primary Care Centre, John’s Hill) and Wexford (the Primary Care centre, Grogan’s Rd.). Clinics are available in Carlow and Kilkenny by appointment.
To find out more about quitting smoking visit: www.quit.ie or Freefone 1800 201 203.
For information about “Supporting Pregnant Women to Quit and Stay Quit in South East Community Healthcare” please contact:
David Phelan, Smoking Cessation Officer, Health Promotion, St Catherine’s Hall, Waterside, Waterford. Email: David.phelan1@hse.ie Mobile: 0871098689.
Kate Cassidy, Senior Health Promotion Officer, Health & Wellbeing, St Catherine’s Hall, Waterside, Waterford. Email: Kate.cassidy@hse.ie Mobile: 087 6529847.