Integrating Discussion of the Smoker's Quitline Into Prenatal Counseling: A Randomized Trial

Although the national Smokers' Quitline increases smoking cessation, awareness of this resource remains limited.

This randomized trial examined the effects of counseling nulliparous pregnant individuals about the Quitline and the benefits of smoke-free homes on Quitline awareness and use. The authors also assessed maternal cigarette smoking; household exposure to tobacco, e-cigarettes, vapes, and cannabis smoke; and secondhand tobacco smoke exposure through 12 months postpartum.

Of 411 participants, 94% completed 12 months of follow-up. At 12 months postpartum, awareness of the Quitline was substantially higher among those who received prenatal counseling about the Quitline (92% vs 74%; P < .001). At 6 months postpartum, Quitline use was reported more frequently in the intervention group (4.9% vs 0.5%; P = .01) but was similar between groups at all other time points. Rates of cigarette smoking in the 2 years before enrollment were low in both groups (10% vs 9%; P = .74) and remained similar at 12 months postpartum. At baseline, before counseling, household exposure to tobacco, e-cigarette, vapes, or cannabis smoke was similar between groups (24% vs 30%; P = .23); secondhand tobacco smoke exposure remained similar through 12 months postpartum between groups (28% vs 26%; P = .63).

Prenatal counseling about the Quitline increased participants' awareness of it through 1 year postpartum, demonstrating the utility of integrating Quitline discussions into prenatal care. However, this counseling did not meaningfully increase Quitline use or change postpartum smoke exposure.

Prenatal counseling about the Quitline and the maternal health benefits of smoke-free homes increased awareness of this resource but did not increase Quitline use.