State Level Smoking Cessation Patterns among Persons with Mental Illnesses

Audience:

This presentation applies broadly to tobacco cessation service providers, behavioral health organizations, and community and state level tobacco control specialists.

Key Points:

This study examined Colorado State survey data on rates of smoking, patterns of quitting, and use of cessation services and cessation medications among persons with mental health disorders. Data are from the 2008 Colorado Tobacco Attitudes and Behaviors Survey (TABS); a population-level, weighted survey that also included depression screening and self-report of mental health diagnosis and functioning. Respondents were a random, stratified sample of 14,156 Colorado adults contacted via random-digit dialing. We found that smoking prevalence is doubled across mental health diagnoses, as well as for those with mental health limitations, and positive depression screens. While mental health populations are less pessimistic about never quitting smoking and quit attempt rates and evidence-based cessation treatment use are largely similar or even higher among mental health populations, cessation success may be limited, particularly among those with anxiety disorders. In addition, mental health subgroups, namely young, poor, and non-Anglo populations with mental health diagnoses are at multiplicatively higher risk of smoking.

Educational Experience:

We will report on the health disparities this population faces and how state-level survey results are applicable to direct service clinicians, administrators and policy makers.

Benefits:

This study extends current literature and knowledge of cessation behaviors and attitudes among mental health populations at a state population-level, and suggests the need for tailored tobacco cessation treatments.