SS 16.00-17.30 Special sessions

TWO ANTISMOKING PROGRAMMES IN SWEDEN: SMOKEFREE PREGNANCY AND SMOKEFREE CHILDREN

Many women need help to quit smoking during pregnancy and to "stay stopped" after the baby is born. An information programme "Smokefree pregnancy" was launched in 1992 by three health organizations. Three years later, in 1995, the next programme " Smokefree children" was launched with the collaboration of a fourth organization. Both programmes were carried out in four stages:

1. Printed materials and video tapes to professionals (midwives/child health care personnel). Most important are manuals providing guidance on how to talk about smoking. By asking questions and listening the professionals can get the parents to make up their minds why they smoke and what in particular would make them stop or smoke away from children. The information kit also includes brochures for expectant mothers and new parents.

2. Seminars for midwives and, in 1995-96, child health care personnel. The seminars address various aspects of smoking: medical, social, commercial, etc. But above all how to provide information on the effects of smoking and how to get a useful conversation going.

3. Newsletters to all midwives and child health care personnel in Sweden with encouragements and hints on how to keep up the good antismoking work.

4. Improved registration of smoking habits. Smoking habits of pregnant women have been registered since 1983. Professionals are now encouraged to register parents as well during the baby's first year.

Conclusions

The trend is a steady decline in smoking among pregnant women in Sweden. Statistics will be presented as well as the effects of the information kit, the seminars, etc. Other effects of the information programme such as mass media attention will also be discussed.

Conclusions
Smoke Free Europe Conference Abstracts - 19 SEP 1996

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