Many women smokers give up tobacco during pregnancy – but the stress of motherhood means most resume the habit quickly, British researchers warned today.
An analysis of interviews with women smokers found that when they stopped during pregnancy they did not see it as "stopping for good."
Women also reported not being concerned about their children being affected by second-hand smoke – as they sought to keep their habit away from them.
Researchers from Norwich Medical School analysed interviews with more than 1,000 women.
Their findings are published in the journal Addiction today.
Researcher Dr Caitlin Notley said: "We found that many women see smoking as a way a coping with stress. They also believe that physiological changes influence cigarette cravings, and that they no longer need to protect the baby from smoking’s harmful effects."
She added: "Women reported that cravings for nicotine, which had lessened or stopped during pregnancy, returned.
"In many women, the motivation to stop smoking was linked to their pregnancy – but they didn’t see it as stopping for good and adopting a life without smoking. Relapse seemed almost inevitable where women admitted that they didn’t quit for themselves.
"Many felt that smoking after the birth of their child was acceptable provided they protected their babies from second-hand smoke. Their focus is, admirably, on the health of the baby, but they often do not think about the long term health consequences for themselves as mothers."
Addiction 10 September 2015
Leave a Reply