Many pregnant women who vape answer "no" to "do you smoke?". Ask the question twice — once about cigarettes and once about vapes or e-cigarettes — and record both. The same applies to smokeless tobacco and gutka in Indian practice, which are also commonly left out when women answer a smoking question.
- Ask separately about cigarettes, vapes and smokeless tobacco at booking.
- Record each exposure in the notes, not just a single smoking status.
- Repeat the question at the third-trimester visit, when relapse is common.
Why it matters
An exposure that is never asked about is never counselled on.
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