Partner smoking status and pregnant smoker's perceptions of support for and likelihood of smoking cessation

Abstract

Perceptions of support for cessation of smoking during pregnancy, likelihood of quitting, and partner smoking status were explored in a sample of 688 pregnant smokers (372 baseline smokers and 316 baseline quitters). Women with nonsmoking partners were significantly more likely to be baseline quitters than women with partners who smoked. Baseline quitters reported significantly more positive support from their partners than did continuing smokers (p = .02). Neither partner smoking status nor partner support at baseline was associated with cessation or relapse later in pregnancy. Women reported greater support, both positive and negative, from nonsmoking partners than from partners who smoked (p = .001). Among partner smokers, those who were trying to quit were perceived to be particularly supportive. Cessation interventions for expectant fathers may increase pregnant women's success at quitting.