Smoking prevalence is significantly higher in people with mental health problems than among the general population. People with psychotic disorders who live in institutions are particularly vulnerable: over 70% of this group smoke including 52% who are heavy smokers.
A significant proportion of people with schizophrenia recognises that smoking is a problem, want to quit and will attend smoking cessation therapy. More than half (52%) of schizophrenic smokers living in institutions wanted to give up smoking.
Smoking and Mental Health: a review of the literature Dr Ann McNeill, an independent consultant and honorary lecturer in Public Health conducts a comprehensive review of available literature on the relationship between smoking and clinically diagnosed mental health problems.
Author: Ann McNeill Published By: Smokefree London Published : 30/11/2001
Smoking and Mental Health Symposium Agenda for the symposium on smoking and mental health.
Author: Royal Pharmaceutical Society Published By: Royal Pharmaceutical Society Published : 08/11/2001
Faculty of Public Health position statement
Position statement on mental health and smoking produced by the Faculty of Public Health and endorsed by ASH and a number of other health organisations.
Report on the Smoking and Mental Health Symposium
9th November 2001: Symposium held at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in London. More than 150 people attended, including mental health professionals, smoking cessation advisers, government representatives and other parties. The symposium focussed on the broad issue of smoking and mental health which is an important, but poorly addressed public health concern.
National Mental Health Development Unit's Virtual Wards
The National Mental Health Development Unit's Virtual Wards website has further resources on smoking and mental health
Where do we go from here? Tobacco control policies in psychiatric and long-stay units
2001: Health Development Agency (from 2005 called the National Institute for Clinical Excellence) guidance on how to tackle smoking in the particularly difficult situations - places where the patient is living
Challenging the smoking culture within a mental health service supportively
Smoking is an entrenched part of the culture of mental health care services. This paper discusses the smoking culture in mental health care settings and demonstrates a supportive model to engage staff to actively address their tobacco use and to influence a change in smoking-related workplace policy, practice, and culture. Paper by Paul Reilly, Leeann Murphy and Deirdre Alderton, International Journal of Mental Health Nursing.
Smoking and patient with mental health problems
A report by the Health Development Agency (from 2005 called the National Institute of Clinical Excellence) outlining the issues and challenges around patients with mental health problems who smoke.
