Researchers seek pregnant smokers in Walsall for study

Mums-to-be who are less than 25 weeks pregnant and smoke more than five cigarettes a day are sought

Researchers are looking for pregnant smokers in Walsall to become part of a new medical study.

The team, from the University of Nottingham, is investigating the use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to help them quit.

The study is open to mums-to-be who are less than 25 weeks pregnant and who smoke more than five cigarettes a day.

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust said the new year was a good time to try something new.

Hannah Cook, clinical research midwife at the trust, said: "We know that it can be a hard habit to break which is why investigating different approaches and methods is a valuable exercise."

NRT, such as nicotine patches, used alongside behavioural support, has been shown to be effective in helping people to quit smoking, but there is less evidence of it being effective in pregnancy.

The researchers, who aim to run their study until June 2025, also want to see how different ways of offering NRT can have differing results.