Issues around managing nicotine dependence in a smoke free mental health inpatient facility (MHIF)

Abstract

The health implications of tobacco smoking have been widely acknowledged by both the medical community and the public at large for some time. Those from low socioeconomic backgrounds tend to be disproportionately affected both in terms of tendency to smoke and smoking related disease, with those suffering from a mental illness having even higher rates. Smokers also tend to exhibit higher incidences of major mental illness. While smoking rates have fallen in many populations, those with a mental illness continue to smoke at high rates and prevention initiatives aimed at them have been minimal. Research suggests that staff working within mental health inpatient units have higher rates of smoking when compared to colleagues in other specialities. The therapeutic relationship formed between MHIF staff and consumers is however potentially useful in facilitating smoking harm reduction interventions, where staff support for such interventions can be gained