Quit-smoking advisories target isles’ pregnant women

Expectant Hawaii mothers who smoke can receive information and help to quit through a public health education program sponsored by the American Legacy Foundation and Ad Council.

Radio stations in 23 states, including Hawaii, are airing public service announcements about the importance of quitting smoking for the health of an unborn child.

The Great Start campaign offers help through a quit line, 866-66-START and a Web site, www.greatstartbabies.org.

Women can get information from the quit line about potential health consequences to a baby from smoking while pregnant, and telephone counseling sessions with a counselor specially trained to help pregnant smokers quit.

Through the quit line and Web site, women have access to and can download an educational booklet developed by Smoke-Free Families, a program supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to improve smoking cessation rates during pregnancy.

More than 350,000 women in the United States smoke during their pregnancies each year, causing carbon monoxide and other chemicals from cigarettes to get into the baby's blood, where they can harm the fetus and limit its growth, according to the American Legacy Foundation.

Dr. Cheryl Healton, foundation president and chief executive office, said in a news release, "Deciding not to smoke while pregnant is the first step to reduce the risk of premature delivery, low birth weight, childhood asthma, SIDS and other problems."