UK NHS Launches Guideline to Encourage Pregnant Women to Quit Smoking with Economic Incentives

A study conducted last year indicates that economic incentives will encourage pregnant women to quit smoking. In response, the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) has introduced guidelines estimating that for every 1000 pregnant women offered vouchers, 177 will quit smoking. "Evidence from the UK suggests that a plan offering vouchers worth up to approximately £400 over time (reducing with each relapse) is effective and cost-effective.

The guidelines emphasize that women should undergo a biochemical test to prove they have quit smoking before receiving cash coupons. Additionally, it adds that healthcare professionals should provide clear and up-to-date information about e-cigarettes to anyone interested in using them to quit smoking, while also mentioning that their long-term health effects remain uncertain.

Trial project begins.

A new pilot program has recently been launched in the northwest of England. East Cheshire, which is currently participating in the program, has a smoking rate higher than the national average, with 10% of pregnant residents continuing to smoke.

Dr. Matt Tyrer, the Public Health Director of Dongchai County Council, told Filter that while the figure may sound significant, it could potentially save up to £450,000 in healthcare costs. The UK government explains that aside from the personnel cost, smoking causes a loss of £14.7 billion to the economy each year, with £2.5 billion belonging to the National Health Service.

The proposal to offer economic incentives was initially put forward by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), which emphasized that smokers should be offered "choice to quit smoking services" at any point of contact with the NHS. The group emphasized that since most smokers typically come from "lower socio-economic groups," pregnant women should be given financial incentives to encourage them to achieve their goals.

UK's smoke-free 2030

These recommendations were put forward as part of a report compiled by the RCP, aimed at addressing what measures can be taken to achieve the government's "smoke-free 2030" goal. Sadly, recent data suggests that the current target won't be truly achievable until 2050.

The ability of the United Kingdom and other countries to address major public health challenges is unquestionable. The Covid-19 pandemic has posed the largest new challenge to global and UK health in decades, attracting unprecedented public health and economic responses. However, in 2020, while Covid-19 killed approximately 80,000 British citizens, smoking caused the deaths of 94,000 people, according to the report.

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