The Help2Quit program is a project funded by the Bureau for Public Health to improve birth outcomes in West Virginia by reducing tobacco use before, during and after pregnancy.

In collaboration with the Division of Tobacco Prevention and the Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health, the Perinatal Partnership developed the Help2Quit program to provide the skills and resources perinatal health care providers need to help their patients quit smoking. The Perinatal Partnership provides training and technical assistance on evidence-based tobacco cessation screening and treatment strategies to obstetrical and pediatric practices.

Practices will receive in-person training and assistance on the following topics:

  • Evidence-based, best practice brief counseling intervention – the 5 A’s
  • Motivational interviewing techniques
  • Pharmacotherapy, including medications appropriate during pregnancy and lactation
  • Billing, including CPT codes, reimbursement rates, and other FAQs
  • Information about the WV Quitline and how to proactively refer to the service
  • How to access and use free tobacco cessation patient education materials
  • How to help those who are not ready to quit – harm reduction and the 5 R’s
  • Integrating tobacco use screening and treatment into clinic work-flow

We know you are concerned about your pregnant and parenting patients who continue to use tobacco. Even a reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked will have a positive impact on maternal and infant health outcomes and reduce Medicaid expenses. Training, including nursing contact hours and assistance, is provided at a location that is convenient for you and your staff, completely free of charge.

Baby & Me Tobacco Free Program

The BABY & ME-Tobacco Free Program (BMTFP) is a tobacco cessation program created to reduce the burden of tobacco use among women during the prenatal and postpartum periods.

The WVPP’s Help2Quit program has partnered with the BMTFP for pregnant women.

Our mission is to reduce the burden of tobacco on our society.

We seek to accomplish this mission by addressing the high prevalence of tobacco use among young women in West Virginia during pregnancy. By providing counseling support and resources to pregnant women, it is our goal that they will quit smoking and maintain smoking cessation throughout the postpartum period and beyond. Our program is successful in helping women quit smoking and stay quit, resulting in improved birth outcomes and long-term positive outcomes for women, children, and their families.

How the Program Works

  • Pregnant women eligible to enroll in the program are referred to their local agency implementing the program.
  • Women attend four prenatal counseling cessation sessions to receive education and support for quitting smoking and staying quit, and test using a carbon monoxide (CO) monitor (breath test).
  • At prenatal sessions 3 and 4, women may receive their first two diaper vouchers, if they test tobacco-free.
  • After the birth of the baby, women return monthly to continue CO monitoring and if proven to be smoke-free, receive a monthly diaper voucher for up to twelve months postpartum.
  • Diaper vouchers can be used for any brand or size of diapers at Walmart and/or local participating stores when applicable.
  • A smoker who lives with the pregnant woman can also enroll into the program and if successfully quits smoking, may receive diaper vouchers during the postpartum period. 

For more information visit: babyandmetobaccofree.org or contact JulianaFCurry@gmail.com

Join the program!

If your practice is interested in participating or you would like additional information, please contact:

Juliana F. Curry
(304) 669 0887
JulianaFCurry@gmail.com

Resources

BABY & ME – Tobacco Free
Poster

Up in Smoke
Poster

Help2Quit
Brochure