Introduction:
During the perinatal period, exposure to firsthand, secondhand and thirdhand tobacco smoke is the most significant preventable cause for a number of unfavorable pregnancy outcomes. Midwives who are constantly in contact with women during pregnancy and postpartum period have a direct role in helping them quitting smoking.

Material and Methods:
The research was conducted between December 2022 and July 2023. An anonymous questionnaire was filled in by 150 midwives. The midwives that participated were either working in Health Centers and hospitals of 1st and 2nd Health District or working as freelancers.

Results:
86,7% of midwives believed that smoking cessation support is an important part of their professional role. 77% of them reported the need for training in smoking cessation. 22% of midwives had partial education about smoking cessation. Only 24% of the midwives who answered the questionnaire, reported that they know “motivational interviewing” and only 9% know the “5As Model” for smoking cessation. 28% of midwives reported that they are aware of the allowable use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy during pregnancy. 62% of midwives reported that pregnant women were not well informed about the risks of firsthand, secondhand and thirdhand smoking exposure during pregnancy. 65,4% of midwives reported that they feel capable to provide smoking cessation support to pregnant and women in postpartum period but only 8% of them answered correctly all the relevant questions on the effects of smoking during pregnancy.

Conclusions:
The results of the survey highlight the importance of training midwives in the techniques and methods of smoking cessation. Although, most of the midwives believe that they can efficiently help pregnant women to quit smoking, actually they lack the necessary knowledge to do so. These findings underline the necessity of having specially trained midwives and the need for maternity hospitals and health centers in Greece to implement smoking cessation programs.