Smoking and pregnancy

The risk of smoking during pregnancy is an issue for both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous women. However, while declining over time, there are particular concerns about the high rates of smoking reported for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers [43321]. Data shows that there are high rates of quit attempts by pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women however these quit attempts are often not sustained [44080][37437].

Smoking in pregnancy is a concern because of the poisons contained in cigarettes, which can pass on to the unborn baby [42101]. Women who smoke may have more problems during pregnancy and labour than those who do not smoke, and are at higher risk of:

• miscarriage
• ectopic pregnancy (when a fertilised egg is implanted outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes)
• complications of pregnancy relating to the placenta and membranes, many of which can lead to preterm delivery (when the baby is born too early) [29610].

Smoking in pregnancy also means the baby may:

• be born too early (premature/preterm birth)
• be born too small (low birthweight)
• be at higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
• have an increased risk of deformities [43321][29610].

Smoking is one of the most important preventable risk factors for complications in pregnancy and poor health outcomes for babies [43321]. It is best if mothers can stop smoking before getting pregnant, but the earlier they stop during pregnancy the better. It is also important for pregnant women to try to avoid being around second-hand smoke [42101].

Pregnancy is a good time to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to quit smoking as they have strong protective feelings for their unborn babies and a desire to quit  [44080][37437]. As well as having positive health outcomes for the child, this can have a longer-term preventative effect; children who live in smoke-free homes are less likely to smoke [39058].

Programs such as

have been developed specifically to improve health provider’s skills when offering smoking cessation care to pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women [46156]. This program offers free online smoking and vaping cessation training for health professionals in both Aboriginal and mainstream health services to support pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in quitting smoking and vaping, ultimately improving maternal and infant health outcomes.