Kenyan Consultant Pediatrician, Epidemiologist and Researcher, Dr. Kariuki Michael, made the revelation at the Third Edition of Harm Reduction Exchange 2023 Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, on October 19, 2023.

The was held under the theme: “Amplifying the Voice of Harm Reduction Advocacy across Africa” and it attracted participants from many African countries, including Togo, Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Botswana, eSwatini and Kenya, as host, among others.

Kariuki said 53 percent of women who smoke daily continue to smoke daily during pregnancy, adding that their desire to stop encounters barriers such continued smoking among social networks, lack of access to quit-smoking services, emotional stress (e.g., intimate partner violence), pregnancy-related depression and increased metabolism of nicotine during pregnancy may not allow smoking cessation to be achieved in all pregnant women who smoke.