A new study has confirmed the cost-effectiveness of financial incentives to encourage pregnant women to stop smoking. Published in the journal BMJ, the research is a first ever analysis of the viability of financial incentives to discourage smoking in pregnant women. The results showed positive outcomes, an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of £482 (AU$1,028) per quality-adjusted life year, a number much lower than the recommended limit in high-income countries.

Smoking during pregnancy is one of the leading causes of death and morbidity amongst babies and their mothers. It is a largely preventable problem; numerous countries have their own services to assist de-addiction among pregnant smokers. However, not many avail of these services, reports News Medical. The study has found a rise in engagement with smoking de-addiction services and higher chances of quitting through the use of financial incentives, although some are concerned about the viability of the financial outlay.

The study was conducted in Glasgow with more than 612 pregnant women who were smokers, all of them referred to the NHS GGC Stop Smoking Services. Half of them also received up to £400 (AU$852) in vouchers for consulting with the Stop Smoking Services and to quit during pregnancy. It was found that financial incentives made women quit smoking at a much larger rate than those who were not offered such incentive, a stark difference at 22.5 percent against 8.6 percent. They also self-reported much lower relapse rates, six months after childbirth – 33 percent versus 54 percent.

According to WebMD, there are no “safe levels” of smoking during pregnancy. Carbon monoxide, nicotine and various other poisonous substances inhaled from a cigarette are carried directly to the baby through the mother’s bloodstream. It decreases the amount of oxygen available to the growing foetus and increases the baby’s heart rate. It also greatly increases chances of the baby developing respiratory problems, birth defects, respiratory problems and being stillborn.

“This study provides substantial evidence of a promising and potentially cost effective new intervention to add to present health service support. The findings can serve as the basis for future research to include other UK centres and other healthcare systems,” said the paper published in BMJ.

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