Local "champions" were appointed to help deliver the targets for reducing the prevalence of smoking in pregnancy. Their role is to coordinate and develop services locally, ensuring that there are coherent and comprehensive cessation services available. Dependent on local arrangements the general scope of their role is outlined below:

• Support midwives and the multidisciplinary team in service referrals
• Provide committed time to supporting pregnant women who want to stop
• Provide “early” skilled smoking cessation interventions
• Encourage appropriate and timely referrals
• Develop and deliver an education and training programme
• Arrange (and provide) cessation support via home visits
• Liaise with Sure Start programmes and Children’s Centres

The general aim of these services is to:

1. Reduce smoking in pregnancy
2. Offer cessation support to partners/wider family members/friends
3. Help reduce post partum relapse
4. Encourage new parents not to smoke in the vicinity of their children