The Smoke-Free Pregnancy Project (SFPP) is funded by Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia and is facilitated by Quit SA. The project commenced in March 2004.
Aim
To increase the incidence of smoke-free pregnancies and smoke-free families, particularly at metropolitan birthing services in South Australia, thereby reducing the adverse health outcomes for mothers, babies and their families. Find out more about the project’s objectives.
Benefits to a smoke-free pregnancy
Quitting smoking during pregnancy is ideal for numerous reasons including
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a reduction in adverse health outcomes for mothers, babies and their families; |
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a woman is more motivated and more likely to quit smoking during pregnancy than at any other time in her life; |
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there is a dual 2 for 1 benefit; |
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there is increased contact with health care providers; |
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and there are huge health and economic returns on investment. |
A 5A’s approach
Each hospital has undertaken a 5A’s approach for providing and recording routine brief advice and support to pregnant women and their partners who smoke. Support emphasizes the option of a faxed referral to the Pregnancy Quitline, which provides a proactive callback service for at least 3 months and up to one year after the birth of their baby. Quitline counselors have been trained in pregnancy specific health outcomes of smokers.
Progress
Since the project’s implementation Quit SA has continued to see the prevalence of pregnant women smokers continually decline - the current rate for SA is 18%. Statistics from the Pregnancy Outcome Unit showed that between 2005 and 2006, the number of pregnant women smokers dropped 1.4%. And it is pleasing to note that while the numbers of births in SA are increasing, the rate of smoking during pregnancy is decreasing.
For 2008, the project will have a specific focus on pregnant women of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander decent. Whilst improvements can be seen in the general population, much progress needs to be made within this community as their rate of smoking during pregnancy continues to remain high at 54%.*
As part of our ongoing commitment to reducing tobacco use in pregnancy, Quit SA supports health professionals by providing education and information so health workers can be more proactive in their approach to addressing tobacco use. By referring expectant parents to the Quitline for counselling and support, the advisory service can also offer subsidized NRT vouchers to help them quit.
For further information and/or assistance to implement the SA Smoke Free Pregnancy Project please contact Kathryn McKenzie, 08 8291 4173 or email kmcmenzie@quitsa.org.au
Health professionals 
Becoming Smoke-free: pregnancy, birth and beyond. Training kit for health professionals