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Pregnant women want to have a healthy pregnancy and, if they smoke, many of them want to quit. Employers can play a critical role in helping pregnant smokers quit smoking. Quitting smoking can be hard, and pregnant women need support from employers and others to quit and remain tobacco free. Creating a supportive work environment is one aspect of an overall plan to assist pregnant smokers-and other employees-with quitting. In fact, according to the Surgeon General, women's smoking behavior is, more than men's, influenced by workplace smoking policies. Beyond a smoke-free workplace, employers can offer pregnant smokers support by making health services and benefits available to employees.

Reducing the rate of smoking among employees benefits employers in many ways:

• Improved employee health
• Increased productivity
• Decreased absenteeism, including days taken to care for a sick child - children born to non-smokers have fewer coughs, colds, and ear infections, among other health problems
• Reduced health care costs for pregnant smokers who succeed in quitting
• Lower fire insurance costs
• Improved corporate image

A safe, healthy work environment can also boost employee morale, especially when it is part of an overall plan to assist smokers.

Resources for employers on how to change workplace policies and select effective programs and services are available. While a comprehensive effort to promote quitting will yield the best results, small or incremental changes in worksite policies and programs can make a difference, especially for women.

How Can My Company Help?
There are many things employers can do to help pregnant smokers quit, even if it's as simple as providing them with information about local resources or quit lines.>MORE