News Release Archive
HEALTH--PROJECT HELPS PREGNANT WOMEN QUIT SMOKING ----------------------------------------------------------------- Start Quit, Stay Quit is a new pilot project under way in the Central Health Region to help pregnant women stop smoking during and after pregnancy. The program consists of trained professionals working with participants individually or in group settings to help them identify the factors that motivate them to remain smoke-free, and to develop skills and strategies toward that goal. The participants are also encouraged to develop plans to keep their homes smoke-free. Almost one in three Nova Scotia women smoke during pregnancy. Smoking during pregnancy can cause miscarriage or stillbirth, and babies are more likely to be born preterm and small for gestational age. Smoking around infants and small children can cause them to have respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis. Children of parents who smoke are more likely to start smoking themselves. "With a strategy in place to help combat stress, the participants should have a better chance of breaking the habit for good," said Nancy Hoddinott, health educator with the Tobacco Control Unit, Department of Health. Start Quit, Stay Quit is an initiative developed by the Community Health Research Unit, at the University of Ottawa and Ottawa-Carleton Health Unit. It is a joint project of the Department of Health, the Community Health Research Unit, Health Canada, Public Health Services in the central region, Single Parent Centre, Parents Resource Centre, Memory Lane Family Place, and Apple Tree Landing Children's Centre. Anyone 16 years old and older, between two and eight months pregnant who has quit smoking for at least one week is invited to participate. Application cards are available at physician offices and pharmacies in the metro and West Hants areas, by contacting project partners or the Department of Health at 902-424-0014. It is anticipated between 100 and 150 women will participate. Evaluation of the program will take place in March, and results will be used by the Department of Health to plan future smoking prevention programs for pregnant and postpartum women. -30- Contact: Lori MacLean 902-424-5025 trp Sept. 23, 1996 - 1:45 p.m.