Abstract
Smoking in pregnancy is an important and
modifiable risk factor for poor pregnancy and infant outcomes. Smoking
cessation in the first trimester increases birth weight and decreases
the risk of premature birth.
Article Extract
Nearly one in five women in Australia smoke tobacco during
pregnancy. The smoking rate in pregnant women varies between states and
territories from 13% in NSW and ACT to 27% in Tasmania and 29% in the
Northern Territory. There is a strong association between social
inequality and smoking during pregnancy. More than 40% of teenagers
report smoking during pregnancy and over half of Indigenous pregnant
women smoke. Smoking rates during pregnancy are increased in women who
are multiparous, are born in Australia, have a lower sociodemographic
status, have unbooked confinements and have a lack of antenatal care in
their first trimester.
