Smoking in pregnancy: is the message getting through?

In order to determine the current smoking habits of pregnant women and the success of anti-smoking advice, inpatient postpartum mothers were invited to complete a questionnaire on their smoking habits, their knowledge of the ill-effects of smoking .in pregnancy and their recollections and reactions to anti-smoking advice.Over a third of the smokers replied that smoking in pregnancy had no harmful effects, compared with 1% of the non-smokers. Only 37% of the smokers said they knew of the risk of having a smaller baby as a result of smoking, compared with 63% of the non-smokers. A high proportion of both smokers and non-smokers did not recall receiving anti-smoking advice during pregnancy, 55% and 54% respectively. However, 48% of the smokers felt that anti-smoking advice was over-cautious, compared with 7% of the non-smokers.It is concluded that many smokers are ;blocking' the smoking advice given to them, and it is therefore ineffective. A different approach by health professionals is recommended and the emphasis of the advice given should be changed.