Pilot plan featuring ‘shopping vouchers’ can help dozen of pregnant girls in Hertfordshire to try out to stop smoking cigarettes

A pilot plan in Hertfordshire which features expecting ladies up to £300 in procuring vouchers as an incentive to give up cigarette smoking has been aiding dozens try out to kick the pattern.

The £49,500 plan was launched by Hertfordshire County Council in January very last year, and expecting women of all ages who agreed to established a give up date would to begin with get £50 in vouchers.

If they could confirm they experienced productively stopped soon after 4 months – by taking a carbon monoxide checking check – they would qualify for a more £50 of vouchers with £100 really worth after 12 months and 34 months. The vouchers can be utilised to invest in a assortment of matters which includes food, infant outfits and baby gear for instance.

As section of the consent to acquire portion, the girls are expected to indicator a disclosure that vouchers will not be applied for products these as tobacco and alcohol.

Associates of the council’s Community Well being and Prevention Cabinet Panel read on Thursday (February 11) a report from the council’s wellbeing improvement manager Emily Clarke.

The plan is operate by the Hertfordshire Health Enhancement Assistance and is aimed at 300 of the most susceptible girls who smoke all through their pregnancy.

Throughout a presentation to the panel, Mrs Clarke described that the gals have been provided intensive aid from a educated stop smoking professional, normal carbon monoxide tests and presented vouchers at 4 vital points setting a give up date, 4 7 days halt, 12 7 days quit and 36 week gestation.

Only girls are referred prior to 24 weeks of their pregnancy are qualified. Carbon monoxide screening ran from January until eventually March 13 when it was stopped because of to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Between January 1 and December 31 very last calendar year there were being 522 referrals with 282 accepting guidance equating to 54 per cent. This was a rise from 51 for each cent in 2019.

The data confirmed that 107 expecting women quit cigarette smoking for at least 4 weeks write-up give up date. This as opposed to 58 in 2019.

With the women who were suitable for monetary incentives, 92 stop at 4 months.

A overall of 67 gals remained smoke absolutely free at 12 weeks. Data for months 34 to 36 gestation will be shared at a later on day.

The purpose is to access 180 women who give up smoking cigarettes at 4 weeks, with the selection at the moment standing at 92.

The council established aside the funding for the 15 month trial which is thanks to run till the conclude of March. A full analysis will acquire position this year to tell future assistance progress for expecting gals who smoke.

Councillor Susie Gordon reported: “Thank you for an inspiring set of figures. It does glimpse good and especially simply because, this time, you did not have the carbon monoxide monitor, the benefits are seemingly are in fact even larger than we see on the paperwork at the moment.

“Because with the carbon monoxide stimulus and enthusiasm for them, you know, you could even have superior outcomes.

“The provide of the economic incentive of £300 seemingly appears to be very a lot which is actually a thing that will encourage men and women I hope to go on as of course does happen.

“I am assuming that when the report lastly arrives out there will be some facet of monitoring the truth that although the financial commitment was £300, that the wellness positive aspects and the discounts are increased than that.”

Mrs Clarke reported: “We can consist of some of that as much as achievable in the ultimate report. And I will totally make some feedback that we do so.”

Cllr Gordon replied: “I feel that is crucial for consider up and continuing on from the pilot. This basically saves us cash so let’s remember to continue on.”

*A individual report to the panel about the HHIS Stop Smoking Providers exposed a considerable rise in 4 week quits with 114 additional than past 12 months.

In 2020/21 there were being 1,606 four 7 days quits when compared to 1,492 for the preceding 12 months.

The report mentioned the Covid-19 pandemic delivered ‘a distinctive option to capitalise on smoker’s enthusiasm to improve conduct with unavoidable media coverage about the greater threats to health’.