Expecting Excellence: Perinatal Smoking Cessation

Quitting smoking is the single best thing a pregnant woman can do for herself and her baby. Smoking can cause complications during pregnancy and birth, such as preterm delivery, low birth weight, and infant death. In North Carolina nearly 12% of pregnant women are smokers and one fourth of the counties have rates that are 20% or greater, mostly in Western North Carolina.

NC SPEED is developing a state-wide project to improve the use of evidence-based smoking cessation strategies in private obstetrical practices and delivery hospitals. Thirteen counties have been identified for this project and we are in the process of recruiting physician tobacco control champions in local areas to partner with us in this effort.