Understanding cigarette smoking among mothers with opioid use disorder

Cigarette smoking is highly prevalent among mothers with opioid use disorder (OUD). Organizations such as the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommend cessation of cigarettes during the pre- and postnatal periods. Factors that inform decisions to continue or stop smoking cigarettes among pregnant and postpartum mothers with OUD are unclear.

This study aimed to understand (1) the lived experience of mothers with OUD regarding cigarette smoking and (2) barriers and facilitators to reduction of cigarette smoking during the pre- and postnatal periods.

Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework, we completed semi-structured, in-depth interviews with mothers with OUD with infants 2-7 months of age. We used an iterative approach to analysis by conducting interviews and developing and revising codes and themes until we reached thematic saturation.

Fifteen of 23 mothers reported smoking cigarettes prenatally and postnatally, 6 of 23 smoked cigarettes during the prenatal period only, and 2 mothers were non-smokers. We found that mothers: 1) believed that smoke exposure had negative health consequences and may exacerbate withdrawal symptoms for their infants; 2) implemented risk mitigation practices, which were dictated both by themselves and by outside rules, to reduce the harmful effects of smoke around infants; 3) were motivated to quit or cut-down on smoking because of the desire to optimize the health and well-being of their infants; 4) continued to smoke because they felt that the stress related to caregiving and their own recovery were a higher priority than quitting smoking; and 5) were influenced by exposure to smokers with whom they lived, as well as by the varied advice of medical providers, family, and friends.

While mothers with OUD acknowledged the negative health impact of cigarette smoke exposure to their infants, many experienced stressors related to recovery and caregiving unique to those with OUD that impacted their cigarette smoking behaviors.