Pregnant women with mental disorders ‘need help in quitting smoking’

A new study has revealed that pregnant women affected by mental disorders are facing too many obstacles when it comes to giving up smoking.

Researchers at King's College London found that although women with conditions such as depression, schizophrenia and eating disorders are more likely to accept referrals to smoking cessation services, it is also more probable that they will still be smoking by the time of delivery.

It was shown that these patients are generally affected by heavier addictions and had a different relationship with smoking, while many described how they and their doctors prioritised their mental healthcare over kicking the habit.

This is despite smoking being the leading preventable cause of foetal and childhood morbidity and mortality in high-income countries such as the UK.

Study co-author Professor Louise Howard from King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry said: "Research into how to support pregnant women with mental disorders in stopping smoking is urgently needed, so that their pregnancy outcome and longer-term health of the child can be improved."

Earlier this year, a study spearheaded by the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm showed that smoking during pregnancy can create respiratory problems such as wheezing and asthma for their children during their early life.