OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of current smoking status as a
rapid screening tool to identify pregnant women at risk of heavy alco
hol and/or illicit drug use. STUDY DESIGN: Women (N=92) seeking prenat
al care were interviewed to assess lifetime and recent tobacco, alcoho
l and illicit drug use. Rates of recent heavy alcohol and illicit drug
use were compared in current smokers and nonsmokers.RESULTS: All subj
ects reporting recent heavy alcohol and/or illicit drug use were curre
nt smokers; none were nonsmokers. CONCLUSION: Obstetric screening of p
regnant women for current smoking status seems to be a cost-effective
method of identifying those at risk of antepartum heavy alcohol and/or
illicit drug use.