qualitative study on the perception of combustible cigarettes, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco cigarettes among pregnant women.

Introduction:
This text is a qualitative study that investigates the psychological reasons behind women's addiction to smoking during pregnancy and their perception of combustible cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and heated tobacco cigarettes. The study used a thematic qualitative analysis to examine the perceptions, thoughts, experiences, and feelings of pregnant women regarding traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco cigarettes.

Key Points:

* The study used two non-probabilistic sampling techniques, purposeful sampling and quota sampling, to recruit 30 women who smoke or have previously smoked and chose to quit or continue smoking during pregnancy.
* Thematic analysis was used to identify, analyze, and report patterns (themes) in the data gathered through a semi-structured interview.
* Three psychological reasons for the onset of smoking were found and analyzed: feelings of stress, nervousness, and loneliness.
* among the 22 women who smoked combustible cigarettes, 40.91% decided to keep on smoking, while 59.09% decided to quit. among the 6 participants who use heated tobacco cigarette, 16.67% decided to continue during pregnancy, and the remaining 83.33% decided to stop. among the 2 participants who use e-cigarettes, 50% decided to continue smoking during pregnancy, and the other 50% decided to stop.
* Participants who continue to smoke during pregnancy are those who smoke combustible cigarettes, while participants who use heated tobacco cigarettes or e-cigarettes are certain that they pose less risk than combustible cigarettes.
* There is a lot of distrust and little knowledge of official smoking cessation therapies. Participants stated that they can quit smoking whenever they want and only with their own willpower.
* Five categories and related themes emerged from the thematic analysis, such as reasons for starting, reasons for attachment, perceptions of traditional cigarettes compared to e-cigarettes and heated cigarettes, feelings and use of official smoking cessation therapies, and information on the effects of smoke during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Main Message:
The study highlights the psychological reasons behind women's addiction to smoking during pregnancy and their perception of different types of cigarettes. The findings suggest that most women who smoke during pregnancy are those who smoke combustible cigarettes. Participants who use heated tobacco cigarettes or e-cigarettes are certain that they pose less risk than combustible cigarettes. however, most participants decided to quit smoking during pregnancy. The study also emphasizes the lack of knowledge and distrust of official smoking cessation therapies. Therefore, there is a need to increase awareness and knowledge of the risks associated with smoking during pregnancy and the benefits of quitting smoking. Public health initiatives should focus on providing accurate information and promoting evidence-based smoking cessation therapies to reduce smoking rates during pregnancy.

Maglia M, quattropani MC, Polosa R, et al. qualitative study on the perception of combustible cigarettes, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco cigarettes among pregnant women. Journal of addictive diseases. Published online March 9, 2023:1-11. doi:10.1080/10550887.2023.2184302