Quitting at any time during pregnancy is one of the best things a mother can do for herself and her baby. This Mother’s Day, the Department of Health and Welfare and Project Filter are urging mothers to change their family’s life forever and quit smoking, vaping, and chewing for good! Eligible participants will receive up to 12 months’ worth of free diapers and wipes in the process.
Stopping smoking will help both the quitter and the baby immediately and throughout their lives:
- Quitting clears harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide, and other damaging chemicals from the body.
- Quitting smoking also reduces other complications in pregnancy and birth. The likelihood increases for a healthier pregnancy and a healthier baby, and the risk of stillbirth or premature delivery is reduced.
- Quitting also will help a baby later in life; children whose parents smoke are more likely to suffer from asthma and other illnesses that may need hospital treatment.
“Protecting your baby from tobacco smoke is one of the best things you can do to give your child a healthy start in life. It can be difficult to stop smoking, but it's never too late to quit,” said Elizabeth Hoyt, Project Filter program manager. “Stopping in even the last few weeks of your pregnancy will benefit you and your baby. This program may also be available for anyone living with a baby under one year of age who wants to quit – mom, dad, grandparents, or even an older sibling.”
To learn more about the program and receive free diapers and wipes when you quit, contact your local public health district or call the Idaho CareLine at 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588 for free, in-person support.
If you or someone you know is ready to quit using tobacco products, free help is available by visiting: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) and www.projectfilter.org. Providers can refer individuals to the program by fax or online, both available on the Quitline website or by helping individuals call the Quitline in-person.
If you or someone you know uses e-cigarette products and experiences symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, fatigue, fever, or weight loss, seek medical care immediately.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.
Media contact
Niki Forbing-Orr
Public Information Manager
208-514-5848
Niki.Forbing-Orr@dhw.idaho.gov