Integrating Discussion of the Smoker's Quitline Into Prenatal Counseling: A Randomized Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Although the national Smokers' Quitline increases smoking cessation, awareness of this resource remains limited. METHODS: This randomized trial examined the effects of counseling nulliparous pregnant individuals about the Quitline and the benefits of smoke-free homes on Quitline awareness and use. The authors also assessed maternal cigarette smoking; household exposure to tobacco, e-cigarettes, vapes, and cannabis smoke; and secondhand tobacco smoke exposure through 12 months postpartum. RESULTS: Of 411 participants, 94% completed 12 months of follow-up. At 12 months postpartum, awareness of the Quitline was substantially higher among those who received prenatal counseling about the Quitline (92% vs 74%; P < .001). At 6 months postpartum, Quitline use was reported more frequently in the intervention group (4.9% vs 0.5%; P = .01) but was similar between groups at all other time points. Rates of cigarette smoking in the 2 years before enrollment were low in both groups (10% vs 9%; P = .74) and remained similar at 12 months postpartum. At baseline, before counseling, household exposure to tobacco, e-cigarette, vapes, or cannabis smoke was similar between groups (24% vs 30%; P = .23); secondhand tobacco smoke exposure remained similar through 12 months postpartum between groups (28% vs 26%; P = .63). DISCUSSION: Prenatal counseling about the Quitline increased participants' awareness of it through 1 year postpartum, demonstrating the utility of integrating Quitline discussions into prenatal care. However, this counseling did not meaningfully increase Quitline use or change postpartum smoke exposure. CONCLUSION: Prenatal counseling about the Quitline and the maternal health benefits of smoke-free homes increased awareness of this resource but did not increase Quitline use.