More than half of patients in drug and alcohol treatment will die from tobacco-related disease, and people with serious mental illness die up to 25 years earlier, often from tobacco-related disease.
Until a few years ago, it was not common for people with mental illness or substance use disorders to be treated for their tobacco dependence. People with behavioral health conditions have only recently been identified by tobacco control and cessation professionals as a priority, even though their smoking rates are 2-4 times higher than in the general population
People with mental illness and substance use disorders want to quit smoking, can do so successfully, and you can help them. Talk to them about it. For more help, refer them to 1-800-NO-BUTTS. And click here to download a free smoking cessation kit for health professionals.
Download our Toolkit
To download our FREE smoking cessation kit for health professionals, please click here.
