Exploring the Challenge of Tobacco Use and Schizophrenia

There are strikingly high rates of smoking among individuals who have a severe and persistent mental illness. Despite the clear health hazards, there appear to be a number of biological as well as psychosocial factors that promote smoking among this population. We conducted a survey of 105 consumers who attend a community-based psychiatric rehabilitation program and identified perceived barriers to smoking cessation as well as motivators for change. Recommendations are offered for practitioners in order to consider the complex relationship between tobacco use and mental illness.