Integrating smoking cessation in treating addiction: Obstacles, challenges and solutions
The prevalence of tobacco use in addiction treatment environments is very high, generally exceeding three-quarters of the clientele. In view of the particularly harmful effects on health of associating alcohol, drugs and tobacco, it is possible, beneficial and even necessary to include a smoking cessation intervention in addiction treatment centres. However, this type of service is practically non-existent in Canada and Quebec. This article looks at the elements that contribute to this situation and proposes various solutions to establish such a service. Examples of implementing a smoking cessation program in an addiction treatment centre in Quebec are presented.