Local women are being encouraged to live healthier lives for themselves and their babies. The Baby and Me Tobacco Free program began at the St. Joseph Health Department in May 2023.
It was established to help pregnant women and women who have delivered their babies to become tobacco-free and provide vouchers to help pay for diapers and wipes. “Missouri has a higher rate than the nation of smokers and vapers and people that use tobacco,” health educator Kay Smith said. About 16.
2% of women in Missouri smoke cigarettes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's most recent data in 2022. Out of the eight states that border Missouri, only Tennessee has a higher rate of women who smoke cigarettes at 16.7%.
Women who want to participate in Baby and Me Tobacco Free must call the health department and express interest in the program. “You have to be 36 weeks (pregnant) or under,” she said. “If you are a smoker or a vaper, you can join this program.
There's no income level or age or any other qualifications.” The program goes through a curriculum that requires participants to attend four prenatal sessions with a health department provider. “It goes through different things on how it affects your baby in utero and different things like that,” she said.
“So if you're 36 weeks (into pregnancy), you've missed four of the basic main classes.” At the beginning, participants are asked if they are ready to quit smoking or vaping. Once they are ready, a .