Education, knowledge and Attitudes of midwives about smoking cessation perinatally. An update on the situation in Greece.

<bold>Aim:</bold> Midwives education, knowledge and attitude towards smoking cessation perinatally. <bold>Methods:</bold> The research was conducted between December 2022 and July 2023. An anonymous questionnaire created and completed by 150 midwives. <bold>Results:</bold> Although the majority of Greek midwives believe that providing smoking cessation support is part of their professional role, only 22% of the participating midwives reported having had partial education and training about smoking cessation. 77.3% of midwives stated that they need training in smoking cessation techniques. Only 24% of the midwives reported that they know the “motivational interviewing” counseling approach and 9.3% know the “5As” model for smoking cessation. 28% of midwives reported that they are aware that Nicotine Replacement Therapy products can be used in pregnancy and lactation. 31.3% were aware of smoking cessation services which pregnant smokers can be referred to. 65.4% of them reported that they feel capable to provide smoking cessation support to pregnant women and to women in the postpartum period, yet only 8% of the midwives answered correctly all the relevant questions on the effects of smoking during pregnancy. Training in smoking cessation was found to be independently associated with the participants' knowledge score about the effects of smoking during pregnancy. Specifically, those who had been educated had significantly higher scores, hence more knowledge. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Midwives in Greece should be trained in novel smoking cessation techniques, as early as possible in their carrier. Preferably smoking cessation education should be incorporated in the curriculum of Greece midwifery bachelor degrees.