Smoking and mental health

Studies have shown that people with mental health conditions are more likely to smoke than the general public and that smoking rates increase with the severity of illness. In addition studies have shown that those smoking more than 15 cigarettes a day are more likely to experience a common mental health disorder than those who smoke fewer cigarettes or do not smoke at all, and 40% of cigarettes smoked in England are smoked by people with a mental health problem.

One of the four key ambitions of the Tobacco Control Plan (2017) is parity of esteem for those with mental health conditions. Below you can find links to information linking smoking and mental health.

HEALTH MATTERS smoking and mental health https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-matters-smoking-and-mental-health/health-matters-smoking-and-mental-health

ASH smoking and mental health factsheet http://ash.org.uk/information-andresources/fact-sheets/smoking-and-mental-health/  

Royal College of Physicians smoking and mental health report https://shop.rcplondon.ac.uk/products/smoking-and-mental-health?variant=6638049733 

Royal College of Physicians smoking and mental health leaflet https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/usefulresources/publications/collegereports/cr/cr178.aspx 

NHS England (2014) CQUIN 2014/15 – additional guidance on the national mental health indicator. www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/cquin-add-mh-guid.pdf

NICE (2013) Smoking: acute, maternity and mental health services https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph48

Case study: https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/mental-health-improving-employment-and-health-outcomes 

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