@article {Ashford494, author = {A. Ashford and R. Gerlis and P. Johnson}, title = {Smoking in pregnancy: is the message getting through?}, volume = {36}, number = {292}, pages = {494--495}, year = {1986}, publisher = {Royal College of General Practitioners}, abstract = {In order to determine the current smoking habits of pregnant women and the success of anti-smoking advice, inpatient postpartum mothers were invited to complete a questionnaire on their smoking habits, their knowledge of the ill-effects of smoking .in pregnancy and their recollections and reactions to anti-smoking advice. Over a third of the smokers replied that smoking in pregnancy had no harmful effects, compared with 1\% of the non-smokers. Only 37\% of the smokers said they knew of the risk of having a smaller baby as a result of smoking, compared with 63\% of the non-smokers. A high proportion of both smokers and non-smokers did not recall receiving anti-smoking advice during pregnancy, 55\% and 54\% respectively. However, 48\% of the smokers felt that anti-smoking advice was over-cautious, compared with 7\% of the non-smokers. It is concluded that many smokers are {\textquoteleft}blocking{\textquoteright} the smoking advice given to them, and it is therefore ineffective. A different approach by health professionals is recommended and the emphasis of the advice given should be changed.}, issn = {0035-8797}, URL = {https://bjgp.org/content/36/292/494}, eprint = {https://bjgp.org/content/36/292/494.full.pdf}, journal = {British Journal of General Practice} }