A study published in the BMJ has examined how well a combined face-to-face and digital programme called BabyBreathe helped new mothers stay smoke-free after giving birth.
The BMJ posted news of the research on its official account, flagging both the study and a linked commentary for readers wanting to dig into the detail.
Staying stopped after childbirth is notoriously difficult. Many women manage to quit during pregnancy but return to smoking in the weeks that follow — a pattern the BabyBreathe programme was specifically designed to address by combining personal support with a digital element.
The BMJ describes the study as new research. The BMJ has published the full trial paper, with findings available to readers via the journal’s website. The research sits within a broader body of evidence on postpartum smoking cessation (stopping smoking after giving birth), an area the NHS considers a priority given the risks second-hand smoke poses to newborns, including links to sudden infant death syndrome and respiratory illness in babies.
Kent has some of the highest smoking rates among pregnant women in the South East. NHS Kent and Medway ICB has previously listed smoking cessation as a key public health target, making research into what works for new mothers directly relevant to local services.
The BMJ also published a linked commentary alongside the study — a sign the findings generated enough interest among clinicians to warrant an expert response.
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Key information
- If you smoke and want support to quit, contact your GP or call the free NHS Stop Smoking helpline on 0300 123 1044
- NHS 111 can advise on local stop smoking services available in Kent
- For urgent health concerns about a baby, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E
Source: @bmj_latest