Illustration of a woman holding a cigarette in her hand. – C. Allain / 20 Minutes
- A symposium on female smoking is organized this Tuesday in Rennes to try to understand why women’s tobacco consumption is increasing.
- In Brittany, 28% of pregnant women still smoked during the third trimester of their pregnancy. The national average is 16%.
- A study carried out in part at the Brest University Hospital analyzes the consequences of remuneration for abstainers. The practice may shock but could be effective.
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Authorities are concerned. While actions are increasing to alert people to the harmful effects of tobacco, consumption figures continue to increase among certain populations, and in particular among women. The situation is even worrying in
some regions such as Brittany, where female smoking is far above the national average. Including
among pregnant women, 28% of whom continue to smoke in the third trimester of their pregnancy in the region. An alarming fact when you know that the national average is 16% and the figure of 11% in Ile-de-France.
In an attempt to raise awareness among future mothers of the dangers of cigarettes, the Regional Health Agency and the National Association for Prevention in Alcohol and Addiction (Anpaa) organized a conference in Rennes on Tuesday. The opportunity for professionals to discuss their methods and better understand the reluctance of women. At the risk, sometimes, of shocking.
Midwife at the Brest University Hospital, Martine Breton conducted an experimental study for several months which offers remuneration to pregnant women who quit smoking. “At first, it was very badly perceived by the medical profession, it was disturbing,” recalls the woman, who is also a tobacco specialist. At each consultation, the patient was given a gift voucher of 20 euros if she had not returned. To check for abstinence, measurements of carbon monoxide levels in the lungs were made.
A pack of cigarettes and five to six joints a day
Carried out in Brest but also in Nantes, Paris or Pau, this study saw 460 pregnant women parade. How many have stopped? We will have to wait until June and the official publication to find out. But the incentive sometimes worked, like this 25-year-old woman who lived on the street in Brest. “When I saw her for the first consultation, I said to myself that it was not won,” remembers Martine Breton. The expectant mother smoked a pack of cigarettes and five to six joints a day. With her companion, she decided to stop everything,
for the sake of her baby. “It was hard but she held on. They were found accommodation and at the end of the study, she was able to buy a washing machine. That’s what she wanted, that’s what motivated her. “
British company grants extra leave to non-smokers https://t.co/FBlla81hk1
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This is just one example. But the case of this young woman is indicative of the difficulty of professionals in raising awareness. Because each smoker has its specificities. “Society’s view of smoking by pregnant women is very harsh, including on the part of caregivers,” admits doctor Tiphaine Houet-Zuccalli, addictologist at Fougères hospital (Ille-et-Vilaine). Some find it difficult to come to the clinic because they think it will be the start of the case and do not want to confront it. We all know someone who smoked during pregnancy and whose baby is fine. This just makes the mom feel guilty. But first we have to help them. “
Cutting down on tobacco is not enough
Divided on the methods, the health professionals agree on the other hand on the need to inform the future mothers of the risks but also of the aids which are at their disposal. The use of patches is particularly recommended to compensate for nicotine withdrawal, but it is not always enough. “Tobacco is one of the most addictive drugs. Everyone knows the risks, but some people can’t stop. Women tell us it’s their only break. They can’t stop like this, all of a sudden, “continues Françoise Gaudel.
The tobacco specialist warns, however, of the need to quit smoking altogether and not just to reduce it as we sometimes hear, including in the mouths of doctors. “The less we smoke, the more we tend to breathe more deeply. Tobacco goes further into the lungs. Reducing consumption is good, if it is done to stop, “warns Françoise Gaudel.
Already conducted in the United States, the study on the remuneration of expectant mothers wishing to quit smoking had given convincing results across the Atlantic. But if successful in France, who will agree to finance such a device? The question is far from being resolved.
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