Steven A. Schroeder|Chad Morris
Confronting a Neglected Epidemic: Tobacco Cessation for Persons with Mental Illnesses and Substance Abuse Problems
University of California, San Francisco|University of Colorado Denver
tobacco use exerts huge toll persons mental illnesses substance abuse disorders accounting 200000 annual 443000 annual tobaccorelated deaths united states persons chronic mental illness die 25 years earlier general population smoking major contributor premature mortality population consumes 44 cigarettes reflecting high prevalence rates plus heavy smoking users pattern reflects combination biological psychosocial cultural tobacco industryrelated factors although provider patient perspectives changing smoking historically accepted part behavioral health settings additional harm results economic burden imposed purchasing cigarettes enduring stigma attached smoking tailored treatment population involves standard cessation treatments including counseling medications telephone quitlines progress depends clinician patient education expanded access treatment resolution existing knowledge gaps