Financial incentives reduce smoking and improve wellbeing in pregnant women

Abstract

Limited data is available on the effectiveness of financial rewards to aid smoking cessation and abstinence in women who are pregnant. In the UK a key milestone is achieving abstinence at four weeks following an initial meeting with midwife and support from stop smoking services. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a generous scheme which provides incentives in a staged schedule, amounting to a total reward of £145 for setting a quit date and staying abstinent for 4 weeks. This pilot feasibility study recruited successfully to target (n = 50 women), focusing on those from disadvantaged backgrounds.