Nicotine Patch as an Adjunctive Intervention to Reduce Secondhand Smoke Among NICU Families

Nicotine Patch as an Adjunctive Intervention to Reduce Secondhand Smoke Among NICU Families

The purpose of this study was to explore the potential for directly targeting smoking cessation, regardless of motivation level, in a subsample of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with the ultimate goal of reducing secondhand smoke (SHS) in their homes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Eligible mothers of any age or ethnic background must have an infant that is at least 1 week prior to the estimated date of hospital discharge in the NICU (ensuring time for the intervention)
• report that a household resident smokes at least 5 cigarettes per day, on average, within the 2 months preceding the screening visit
• agree to attend intervention sessions
• live within 50 miles of our center
• and have access to a telephone

Exclusion Criteria:

• Mothers were ineligible if they met criteria for severe cognitive, and/or psychiatric impairment, per judgment of NICU and research staff, that precludes cooperation with study protocol
• were unable to read, write, and speak English
• were unable or unwilling to provide signed consent for participation
• and were unable or unwilling to meet study requirements for data collection and intervention purposes.
• Within the month immediately preceding the screening visit, use of any form of tobacco or nicotine products other than cigarettes (e.g., e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, etc.) on 3 or more days within a week if the individual refuses to refrain from such tobacco use during the course of the study
• Current use of NRT or enrollment (or plans to enroll) in another smoking cessation program in the next 3 months
• Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure [SBP] greater than 180 or diastolic blood pressure [DBP] greater than 110)
• History of severe cardiovascular (stroke, heart attack), kidney (e.g. chronic or acute kidney failure) or liver disease, or other unstable disease in the last 3 months
• History of hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to NRT or similar chemical classes or any component of these formulations (including allergy to latex)