Tobacco Free Gallatin - A Hidden Epidemic Tobacco Use and Mental Health It is a hidden epidemic with serious consequences for the physical, psychological, and financial health of this already vulnerable population. There are financial consequences as well. People with mental illness often rely on fixed incomes, and the high prevalence of tobacco use among this population has a deep economic impact. In a landscape in which tobacco companies are losing their foothold with the general public, selling cigarettes to people with serious mental illness represents a huge market. The 175 billion cigarettes sold each year to people with psychiatric disorders earn tobacco companies approximately $39 billion dollars annually. Alarming Statistics... People with mental illness smoke 44% of all cigarettes produced in the United States.Tobacco is the second most commonly used substance in the United States next to alcohol.Almost half (200,000) of the 435,000 deaths that occur each year from smoking are among people with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Why focus on tobacco? 1. People with mental illness smoke significantly more than the general population. The prevalence of smoking among people with mental illness is 2 to 4 times greater than the general population. Reference: Smoking Cessation for Persons with Mental Illness: A Toolkit for Mental Health Providers (2009) Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. 2. People with mental illness suffer greater smoking-related illness and death. Death due to smoking-related illnesses is two to six times greater in patients with major mental illness than the general population. Reference: Lawn, S and Pols, R. Smoking bans in psychiatric inpatient settings? A review of the research, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 2005.3. Smoking interferes with treatment and recovery. The tars in tobacco smoke can increase the metabolism of some psychotropic medications. Certain classes of medications may require up to twice the normal dose to reach therapeutic levels in people who smoke. Reference: Desai HD, Seaboly J, J Jann MW. Smoking in patients receiving pyschotropic medications: a pharmokinetic perspective. CNS Drugs.4. Quitting tobacco benefits people with mental illness and helps with recovery. Mental health symptoms do not worsen and may actually improve as individuals with mental illness attempt to quit. When people stop smoking, they can achieve therapeutic levels of medications. Reference: Bringing Everyone Along-Resource Guide Supplement. Tobacco Cessation Leadership Network. Oregon Health & Safety Science University. July 2009.5. People with mental illness want to quit tobacco and can be successful. Numerous studies have reported that people with mental illness and substance use disorders want to quit smoking and want information on cessation services and resources. Reference: Morris CD, Giese JJ, Dickerson M, Johnson-Nagel N (2006). Predictors of Tobacco Use Among Persons with Mental illnesses in a Statewide Population. 6. It is beneficial to incorporate tobacco dependency treatment into mental health programs. The consumer is provided with an incentive and opportunity to quit tobacco in a supportive, therapeutic environment. This information (Why focus on tobacco?) was compiled by Clare Lemke, RN, Montana Tobacco Free Medical Campus Project Coordinator, funded by the Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program.

Gallatin County Tobacco Use Prevention

Ending the tobacco epidemic requires a renewed effort by all of us to change the social norm around tobacco use and reinvigorate a national discussion on tobacco use prevention and control efforts.

A Hidden Epidemic

Tobacco Use and Mental Health

It is a hidden epidemic with serious consequences for the physical, psychological, and financial health of this already vulnerable population.

There are financial consequences as well. People with mental illness often rely on fixed incomes, and the high prevalence of tobacco use among this population has a deep economic impact.

In a landscape in which tobacco companies are losing their foothold with the general public, selling cigarettes to people with serious mental illness represents a huge market.

The 175 billion cigarettes sold each year to people with psychiatric disorders earn tobacco companies approximately $39 billion dollars annually.

Alarming Statistics...

People with mental illness smoke 44% of all cigarettes produced in the United States.
Tobacco is the second most commonly used substance in the United States next to alcohol.
Almost half (200,000) of the 435,000 deaths that occur each year from smoking are among people with mental illness and/or substance use disorders.

Why focus on tobacco?

1. People with mental illness smoke significantly more than the general population.

The prevalence of smoking among people with mental illness is 2 to 4 times greater than the general population.

Reference: Smoking Cessation for Persons with Mental Illness: A Toolkit for Mental Health Providers (2009) Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

2. People with mental illness suffer greater smoking-related illness and death.

Death due to smoking-related illnesses is two to six times greater in patients with major mental illness than the general population.

Reference: Lawn, S and Pols, R. Smoking bans in psychiatric inpatient settings? A review of the research, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 2005.

3. Smoking interferes with treatment and recovery.

The tars in tobacco smoke can increase the metabolism of some psychotropic medications. Certain classes of medications may require up to twice the normal dose to reach therapeutic levels in people who smoke.

Reference: Desai HD, Seaboly J, J Jann MW. Smoking in patients receiving pyschotropic medications: a pharmokinetic perspective. CNS Drugs.

4. Quitting tobacco benefits people with mental illness and helps with recovery.

Mental health symptoms do not worsen and may actually improve as individuals with mental illness attempt to quit. When people stop smoking, they can achieve therapeutic levels of medications.

Reference: Bringing Everyone Along-Resource Guide Supplement. Tobacco Cessation Leadership Network. Oregon Health & Safety Science University. July 2009.

5. People with mental illness want to quit tobacco and can be successful.

Numerous studies have reported that people with mental illness and substance use disorders want to quit smoking and want information on cessation services and resources.

Reference: Morris CD, Giese JJ, Dickerson M, Johnson-Nagel N (2006). Predictors of Tobacco Use Among Persons with Mental illnesses in a Statewide Population.

6. It is beneficial to incorporate tobacco dependency treatment into mental health programs.

The consumer is provided with an incentive and opportunity to quit tobacco in a supportive, therapeutic environment.

This information (Why focus on tobacco?) was compiled by Clare Lemke, RN, Montana Tobacco Free Medical Campus Project Coordinator, funded by the Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program.

GMHC employs highly trained, skilled staff including licensed social workers, professional counselors and a psychologist; licensed nurses and a board certified psychiatrist and psychiatric nurse practitioner; case managers; crisis intervention workers; and peer support specialists.

GMHC staff utilizes a variety of evidence-based practices and approaches to ensure quality, substantiated support.

Through integrated, collaborative efforts, the GMHC team provides diagnosis, evaluation, assessment, ongoing treatment and referral for those impacted and affected by mental illness.

Gallatin County Tobacco Use Prevention Program

404 West Main

Bozeman, Montana 59715

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