The sociodemographic predictors of smoking cessation among pregnant women in Canada

This study examined the sociodemographic predictors of smoking cessation at tempts among pregnant women, and compared the characteristics of women who successfully quit smoking during pregnancy with those. who relapsed before their child was born. Data, which were derived from the National Longitudin al Survey of Children and Youth, indicate that 23.7% of Canadian mothers sm oked at some point during their pregnancies, of whom only 15.8% attempted r o quit. Maternal and paternal education were the strongest predictors of su ccessful cessation, whereas women pregnant with their first child, those wh o drank during pregnancy, and those who immigrated to Canada were the most likely to relapse. This study represents an important first step in identif ying Canadian women at highest risk of sustained smoking during pregnancy, and is useful for the design of effective interventions, tailored to meet t heir needs.