COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus City Council is sponsoring an initiative to reduce infant mortality across the state. 

What You Need To Know

  • "Moms Quit for Two" is a program that helps pregnant women quit smoking to combat infant mortality

  • Columbus City council passed the ordinance that would authorize the Board of Health to accept a grant from the Ohio Department of Health for nearly $157,000 for the program

  • 'Moms Quit for Two' has helped over 1,000 women and has a 93% success rate during the mother's first year of sobriety

It’s called the “Moms Quit for Two” program. It’s a perinatal smoking cessation program that helps reduce smoking among women during and after pregnancy and to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke. 

“I’m proud to see my child grow because I did something about it,” said Auribel Then. 

Then is a single mother of three and graduate of the Moms Quit for Two program. It’s a program she is grateful for because she said her kids deserve it. 

“My children deserve to have a chance to grow. And that’s my number one thing, is they deserve to have a life. And smoking does minimize their life, their thrive,” said Then. 

During the program, registered nurses stay with the mother from the time they are pregnant until the child’s first birthday. Nurses help mothers quit smoking by giving them tools to be successful in their cessation. They also give mothers financial incentives to keep them motivated to stay away from tobacco. One incentive is baby necessities like diapers and wipes. 

It’s a job Columbus Public Health Department registered nurse Syrita Smith said is an honor. 

“It’s such an honor and a privilege to work with these ladies. And we literally become part of their family. I mean, it’s just them from the time they’re pregnant until they’re their first their first birthday, we become like one,” said Smith. 

Smith also shared that the program goes beyond helping mothers quit smoking. It also helps them get their education and even start businesses. 

“Whatever we can do to just elevate them, to just realize that they have power. And empowering these women and their families is what it’s all about,” said Smith. 

Columbus City Council member Melissa Green is sponsoring the ordinance and presented the piece of legislation at the city council meeting Monday evening. 

“We know that, you know, smoking cessation is really, really important for pregnant mothers. People who are smoking while they are pregnant have lower birth rates, they have higher infant mortality rates. And so it’s absolutely the most preventable thing that we can do to help improve infant mortality across our community,” said Green. 

The program has served over 1,000 mothers and has seen a 93% success rate in the mother’s first year of sobriety while participating in the program. Monday night, council passed the ordinance that would authorize the Board of Health to accept a grant from the Ohio Department of Health for nearly $157,000 for the Moms Quit for Two program.