Health leaders working to curb smoking during pregnancy

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Story Published: Mar 7, 2008 at 10:40 PM PST

Story Updated: Mar 7, 2008 at 10:40 PM PST

By Stephanie Smith

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CLARKSTON - Valley community health leaders gathered Friday to discuss smoking during pregnancy.

“Today's meeting is to gather to talk about the issues related to high rates of smoking during pregnancy in our Valley, and we recognize that it is a huge health issue for our community and it impacts our community,” said Donna Franklin with the Asotin County Health District. “We are gathered to do some work around that issue and hopefully find the solution to that problem."

A little over 30 percent of new moms in Asotin County smoked during pregnancy. This is compared to only ten percent statewide. With the help of a grant, the team will be setting up outreach programs to lower those numbers.

"We applied for a March of Dimes community grant, which we received,” said Franklin. “Right now, we are beginning looking to start tobacco cessation classes to pregnant women in our community and hopefully decrease the rate of smoking in the community so that we can promote healthier families."

Registered Nurse Lori Clarke said that it isn't just a mother, child or even family issue. It is a community problem. They aim to get mothers to quit ASAP.

“The best time to quit smoking is before you conceive, absolutely,” said Clarke, who works for Valley Medical Center. “But, anytime during pregnancy that you quit has a positive impact on that baby."

If you would like help to quit smoking. You can call the help line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Clarke said that when partners quit too, it increases the chance for success.

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