Pregnant women are more likely to quit smoking when they are offered a financial incentive according to a new study. The researchers found the financial incentive was cost-effective for the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, which determines cost-effectiveness in a similar method to other high-income countries.
In a randomized controlled trial the researchers found women who had been offered a financial incentive of up to £400 (in vouchers) quit 22.5 per cent of the time, whereas women who were not offered a financial incentive quit 8.6 per cent of the time.
The relapse rate was also affected, as women who received the incentive had significantly lower rates of smoking after birth.
Original research paper published in Addiction on November 12, 2015.
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