Predictors of smoking cessation in pregnancy

Smoking cessation is difficult to obtain, even among pregnant women who should be highly motivated to quit. Identification of predictors of unsuccessful smoking cessation may be of help in identifying pregnant smokers who need special attention in order to reduce or eliminate the intrauterine tobacco smoke exposure. The study was done in two consecutive samples of pregnant women in Odense and Aalborg, Denmark. Altogether 13,815 pregnant women participated in the study by reporting detailed information on their lifestyle during pregnancy and before pregnancy. Recruitment of pregnant women started in 1984 and ended in 1987. The study is based upon self-administered questionnaires filled out in the 36th week of gestation. Only those who were smokers prior to the pregnancy are included in the study (5,724). The study showed that the strongest predictors of unsuccessful smoking cessation were: the level of smoking prior to pregnancy, coffee consumption, and the partners smoking habits. Parity, school education, and social status also played a role but were less strongly associated with continuous smoking in pregnancy.