Health Department program aims to help pregnant women quit tobacco

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The Baby & Me Tobacco Free (BMTF) program provided by the St. Joseph Health Department aims to help future and postpartum mothers fight tobacco addiction.

Mothers must attend four individualized prenatal counseling sessions, each lasting 30 to 45 minutes.

By their third visit, they must quit smoking and stay tobacco-free during their pregnancy.

Mothers will attend six-monthly postpartum counseling maintenance sessions and must test tobacco-free during their visits.

BMTF will also offer monetary incentives for program dedication, such as gift card awards.

For example, participants will receive a $50 gift card to purchase items in the baby department after completing the third and fourth prenatal visits and all six postpartum visits, provided they test tobacco-free.

News-Press NOW will update this story