Maternal Smoking in Rural Maine:
An Analysis of Treatment and Policy Opportunities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53558/0cb3yh66Keywords:
maternal smoking, substance use disorder treatment, rural health policyAbstract
Tobacco, the most commonly used substance during pregnancy, is a well-established cause of adverse maternal, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes. In 2025, Washington County, Maine, reported a maternal smoking rate of 19 percent, more than twice the statewide rate of 9.1 percent. This article examines maternal smoking in Washington County as an important rural public health concern and considers opportunities to strengthen treatment and support for pregnant women who smoke. We identify four areas in which current policy and practice could be strengthened: integrating tobacco treatment into substance use disorder treatment; promoting evidence-based anti-stigma training for healthcare providers; expanding peer support for pregnant women who smoke tobacco; and enhancing the emotional resonance of Maine QuitLink’s maternal smoking media. These recommendations highlight practical opportunities to strengthen existing services and better address the needs of pregnant women who smoke in rural Maine. Greater attention to these areas may help reduce maternal smoking and associated adverse maternal, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes in Washington County and similar rural communities.
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