Reducing smoking during pregnancy is a priority research area, and included in several NSW and National Health Plans and Policies. Pregnant tobacco smokers who also use other substances (for example drugs like cannabis, ice, or heroin) are a particularly vulnerable and priority target population.
This pilot study will trial the acceptability and feasibility of an evidence-based smoking cessation intervention for pregnant women who smoke tobacco with other substance use problems. The intervention will use a combination of counselling and Nicotine Replacement Therapy delivered by a trained Tobacco Treatment Specialist. The study will also offer the women incentives (such as the reward of a shopping voucher) if they are able to quit or reduce their smoking.
This research aims to generate new evidence about effective and translatable strategies for decreasing tobacco smoking in pregnant women with other substance use problems, and develop sustainable solutions in real-life settings. The study will provide important information of the feasibility, acceptability and uptake of effective tobacco cessation strategies, in a population that has extremely low tobacco cessation rates.
Collaborators: Sydney Local Health District, NSW Ministry of Health, Agency for Clinical Innovation