Financial Incentives for a Smokefree Pregnancy: Results from a pilot in North West England
Author(s)
Tina Williams, Jennifer McKell and Linda Bauld
Presenter(s)
Tina Williams Head of Training and Development, Tobacco Free Futures, Manchester
Abstract
A recent Cochrane review of smoking cessation interventions in pregnancy found that financial incentives for behaviour change were more effective than any other cessation intervention (Lumley et al, 2009). This finding, however, was based on results from just four trials in the USA and the National Institute of Clinical Excellence has called for more research to establish the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of incentives in a UK context (NICE, 2010). Incentive schemes for cessation in pregnancy have now been established in a number of parts of the UK, including ‘Give it Up for Baby’ launched in Dundee in 2007. This presentation will outline results from the Stirling University led evaluation of the North West Smoking in Pregnancy Reward Scheme, established by Tobacco Free Futures in 2009. As of September 2011, audits of routine data found that 522 women had registered for the programme and 183 were CO validated as abstinent at two months post-partum.
Surveys of client and practitioner views supported the scheme and emphasised the benefits of prolonged contact with practitioners. Overall conclusions are that financial incentives when combined with behavioural support within routine care can serve as a valuable addition to existing provision for smoking cessation in pregnancy.
