Tobacco Quit Line Expands Services for Pregnant Women...(p The expanded quit line services are ...),Health

The expanded quit line services are part of the Department of Health's effort to reach out to pregnant women who smoke. Last year, the state launched the "Quit for You Quit for Two" campaign to raise awareness of the health dangers associated with smoking while pregnant and the resources available to help women quit. The campaign includes advertising in public transportation, radio public service announcements and informational materials delivered to pregnant women through health care providers and social service agencies.

Washington's maternal smoking rate has remained stagnant over the last several years. In 2006, about 12 percent of pregnant women reported smoking during the last three months of their pregnancy. Some groups continue to have higher than average rates, particularly young women (18 percent of those less than 25 years old), women receiving Medicaid benefits (17 percent) and American Indian women (23 percent). More than 40 percent of women who quit smoking during pregnancy start again within months after giving birth.

Tobacco-related diseases kill more than 3,000 women in Washington every year. Information about the state Tobacco Quit Line (http://www.quitline.com), including a sample call, is available online.

Media materials (http://www.quitline.com/media/press_room.php) are available online.