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The Tennessee Dept. of Health is looking for proposals for a statewide campaign to encourage pregnant women to stop smoking or vaping.
Smoking during pregnancy impacts the fetus immediately after the mother inhales any tobacco product, according to the RFP.
Research shows that tobacco product usage is the No. 1 preventable cause of pregnancy complications and death of infants.
Pregnant smokers are nearly twice as likely to have a low-birth-weight baby as non-smokers. They also deliver babies three times more likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
The DoH envisions an effort that utilizes public health education and cessation counseling support during pregnancy and the postpartum period while incorporating the ability to measure behavioral change and offer tangible incentives for success.
It has budgeted $1.2M for a three-year communications campaign.
Responses are due Sept. 14.
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