Smoking cessation in pregnancy: exploring service users' lived experiences

Background/Aims Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust established a specialist tobacco dependency team to run an in-house opt-out smoking cessation service supported by an incentive scheme. This study's aim was to understand service-users' perceptions of engaging with the team during the intervention. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 13 pregnant people who had achieved a smoke-free birth following attendance at the service. The data were analysed inductively through thematic analysis. Results The participants reported strong emotional responses to the team. Non-judgemental support helped reduce barriers, minimise stigma and enhance their ability to achieve a smoke-free birth. Concern for the baby's health was a key motivation to quit smoking. Conclusions This study reports rich insights into service-users' lived experiences of smoking cessation while pregnant. Such insights are useful for service design, clinician training and the design of smoking-cessation messages. Implications for practice Using a non-judgemental behaviour change approach will reduce barriers of perceived shame and stigma to increase engagement with tobacco dependence treatment services. Healthcare professionals should not assume that people are fully aware of the dangers of tobacco use.