Common Questions: For Partners

 

1. ​​ What about other people or a partner smoking around the pregnant woman?
2. How can a partner or family member support a pregnant woman to stop smoking?

1. What about other people or a partner smoking around the pregnant woman?

A: A partner can be a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, family member, friend or anyone close to the pregnant woman or new mom.  When other people, such as a woman's partner, smoke near her during pregnancy, the secondhand smoke gets passed to the fetus. The effects of secondhand smoke on the fetus are similar to if she were to smoke herself. When a partner smokes, it can also make it much more difficult for the pregnant woman to quit and stay quit. A pregnant woman can ask her partner and other friends and family not to smoke near her. Read our pages on secondhand smoke​​ and partner su​pport ​​to learn more.

​

​A: One of the main reasons that women return to smoking is because their partner, friends and family don't support them.  A partner who smokes has a big impact on a woman who is trying to reduce smoking or stay quit.  Partners may not know that their smoking makes it more difficult for the woman to stop. Read about partner support and find tips on how to ask people in your life for support when you are reducing or quitting smoking.    ​