Tobacco cessation in pregnant persons: USPSTF guidance requires clinicians to do what?

• A. Clinicians should ask all pregnant persons about tobacco use, advise them to stop, and provide behavioral interventions for cessation.
• B. Only advise if the patient is at high risk for neonatal complications.
• C. No guidance provided for pregnant persons.
• D. Encourage continued tobacco use during pregnancy.

Answer: (A)

Universal screening for tobacco use in pregnancy with cessation support is what USPSTF recommends. Clinicians should routinely ask all pregnant persons about tobacco use, advise them to quit, and offer or refer to brief behavioral counseling to help with cessation. This approach, focused on universal screening and intervention, is supported by evidence showing that counseling increases quit rates and improves outcomes for both mother and baby. The other options don’t fit because they either limit screening to high-risk individuals, provide no guidance, or encourage continuing tobacco use.