Families in Sheffield are being encouraged to make their homes smoke free to help protect their children and unborn babies, after recent research* found that children exposed to second-hand smoke can have an increased risk of contracting bladder cancer in later life.
To help parents and parents-to-be take this important step towards improved health for their child or unborn baby, the Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service offers a free midwifery service that is proven to be up to four times more effective at helping people quit that through willpower alone. Last year nearly 500 families in Sheffield were referred for pregnancy smoking cessation programmes.
Jane Grice, Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service Midwife, said: “Our work places a strong emphasis on working with the whole family, not just the mother, because having a smoke free home environment is as important as being a smoke free mother. By focusing on the family and not the individual, family members who do smoke feel that they can count on the support of others in the household.”
“Stopping smoking is the single most important decision expectant parents can make for the health of their unborn child. The one-to-one support we provide in Sheffield has enabled us to help many parents-to-be in the city give up smoking.”
The Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Midwifery Service provides one-to-one sessions with specially trained midwives, who will arrange to meet the quitter at a time and place to suit them, usually in the comfort of their own home. The service offers support for mums-to-be and their families over a number of weeks, helping them stay stopped and giving advice on how to resist cravings.
The Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service offers effective programmes in a variety of formats throughout the city. All programmes include nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches, on NHS prescription.
You can contact the Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service on 0800 068 4490 (you won't be charged for the call), or by talking to your GP, dentist or local pharmacist. 
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