Would-be mothers are not any less likely to quit the habit after using them

Mar 12, 2014 15:25 GMT  ·  By
NRT such as nicotine patches are ineffective in getting pregnant women to quit smoking
   NRT such as nicotine patches are ineffective in getting pregnant women to quit smoking

According to the conclusions of a new study conducted by French researchers, it would appear that using nicotine-replacement therapies (NRT) during pregnancy is not a very effective way of supporting would-be mothers in their efforts to quit the habit. Some studies had suggested that adding NRT to behavioral smoking cessation may be effective, but evidences for this appear to be lacking.

Statistics show that around 12 percent of women who are pregnant smoke throughout their pregnancy in the United Kingdom, while 26 percent smoke the year before getting pregnant. This highlights a significant public health issue, since smoking causes birth defects in infants, as well as other risks before delivery, Science Blog reports.

In the new study, the research group assessed the efficiency of 16-hour nicotine patches on women who smoked at least 5 cigarettes per day while pregnant between 12 and 20 weeks along. The 402 test participants were all over 18 and were randomized into two groups. The first received nicotine patches, while the second received placebo chemicals.

The team found absolutely no difference in cessation rates between women who received the nicotine patch as opposed to those who got the placebo. Only 5.5 percent of test subjects achieved full cessation, as determined by measurements of carbon monoxide in expired air. Most women who attempted to quit were back on the habit around two weeks later.