The aim of this study was to develop recommendations for interventions aiming at reducing health risks due to tobacco smoking in pregnant women, women postpartum and their infants. Meta-Analyses and selected studies are summed up. Epidemiological findings and health risks due to smoking are summed up. Subsequently findings from intervention studies are cross-referenced and integrated as recommendations. Interventions may be divided into three categories: 1. interventions to obtain abstinence in pregnancy, 2. interventions for relapse prevention after abstinence has been attained in pregnancy, 3. interventions aimed at reducing exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in homes with children. Empirical evidence is cross-referenced to the following points: 1. Self-help materials, 2. brief counselling, 3. more time-consuming counselling, 4. interventions to reduce exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and 5. interventions by midwives. Results from meta-analyses as well as results from selected studies suggest the following recommendations: 1. use of a trusting relationship in counselling, 2. repeated counselling, 3. complementary use of self-help materials; self-help material alone is not effective enough, 4. use of state-of-the-art counselling approaches and, 5. theoretical foundation and appropriate individualized counselling.