Too little smoking advice

 The ‘‘stop smoking'' message to pregnant women needs to be pushed harder, according to a new survey.

The Auckland Tobacco Control Research Centre (ATCRC) survey showed only 11% of midwives were advising pregnant women to abstain from smoking, instead recommending a reduction in smoking.

GPs proved to be better, with 71% encouraging women to simply stop smoking at all while pregnant.

ATCRC director Dr Marewa Glover said midwives and doctors should be doing more to encourage women to give up when they were pregnant.

‘‘GPs and midwives are in a pivotal position to offer smoking advice to pregnant women, when motivation to quit is at its highest,'' she said.

‘‘However, the message that smoking abstinence is vital for the health of the developing child does not seem to be consistently delivered, particularly by midwives.''

About 150 GPs and 200 midwives took part in the survey, which was funded by the Ministry of Health.

Both groups provide cessation counselling.

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