Objective-The study aimed to reduce women's exposure to passive smoking, which has been linked to increased risk of cancer and other diseases. By exploring the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of pregnant women with regard to secondhand smoke in the home environment, a model for intervention during the pregnancy was designed with the help of the intended beneficiaries and was piloted.Methods-The study had two phases. Phase 1 included focus group discussions and an iterative process to design an intervention. Phase 2 was the intervention itself, which included a series of motivational and patient communication activities, a resource booklet, clinician counseling, telephone hotline, and regular telephone counseling. Pre-and post-intervention questionnaires were used to measure results.Results-Post-intervention questionnaires showed a significant increase in knowledge, a change in attitudes towards stronger disapproval, and an increased likelihood of taking assertive action when exposed to secondhand smoke in the family.Practice Implications-The results of this study point to the fact that there is a need to give emphasis to passive smoking in the home environment and that the women's pregnancy is an effective conduit to increasing knowledge and bringing about change. The intervention model can become a part of the standard protocol for the care of pregnant women in hospital settings.

During the past decade, tobacco leaf production has shifted from high-income countries to developing countries, particularly those in Africa. Most African governments promote tobacco farming as a way to alleviate poverty. The economic benefit of tobacco farming has been used by the tobacco industry to block tobacco control policies. The tobacco industry is active in promoting the alleged positive aspects of tobacco farming and in “protecting” farmers from what they portray as unfair tobacco control regulations that reduce demand. Tobacco farming has many negative consequences for the health and wellbeing of farmers, as well as for the environment and the long-term wellbeing of the country concerned.1-3 We provide an overview of tobacco farming issues in Africa. Encompassing multi-dimensional issues of economic development, there is far more to it than tobacco control questions.

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the barriers in the implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in China and present recommendations on ways to address these challenges in tobacco control in China. Methods: We review the available literature on progress and explore the barriers and challenges that impede a speedier pace in the adoption of the effective tobacco control measures, and present recommendations based on in-depth knowledge of decision-making process on the implementation of FCTC in China. Results: The pace of progress in China is too slow. China faces intractable political, structural, economic and social barriers in tobacco control, which make the whole-hearted implementation of FCTC measures a painstaking process. Discussion: The authors recommend a comprehensive approach to speed up the implementation of tobacco control measures. This includes strong political leadership from the top, structural changes to the tobacco industry and government oversight of the tobacco industry, as well as advocacy and support for tobacco control from civil society at the grassroots level.

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Our smoke-free health education intervention for nonsmoking pregnant women significantly reduced SHS exposure before and after birth. This intervention model can become part of a standard protocol for the care of pregnant women in hospital settings.