Doctors in the Netherlands are to offer vouchers and coaching to persuade women to stop smoking during pregnancy, following the success of a similar initiative in the UK.

In Britain, studies have shown that the method, comprising coaching sessions and a voucher for every week or month the women refrain from smoking, is effective.

An estimated 10,000 women in the Netherlands are unable to stop smoking when expecting. Some 28 newborns a day have been exposed to the harmful effects of smoking, some of whom go on to develop complications due to a lack of oxygen.

Babies exposed to tobacco smoke also have a greater chance of chronic diseases, such as asthma, and may also be more prone to addiction in later life.

Linda van der Spek, told broadcaster NOS that the pilot project aimed to give smokers an incentive to replace the emotional “kick” of inhaling nicotine.

“The women really want to stop smoking,” she said. “But the reward they are getting from smoking makes it very difficult. By giving them a voucher for stopping for a certain period of time, we replace that reward with another reward.”

Parents who, apart from receiving coaching, also get vouchers are two or three times more likely to be successful than parents who only get coaching, Van der Spek said.

Some of the participants stop smoking altogether, which is not only good for the health of babies and parents but will also avoid costs in the longer term, she said.

The current Dutch pilot involves 200 expectant mothers and their partners. If successful, the health authorities and insurers will decide if the method will be included in the basic health package.