Why do people with schizophrenia smoke more?
People with mental illness, like many others, often smoke because they have learned to use it as a way of dealing with feelings such as boredom or stress. Also, some chemicals in cigarettes – particularly the highly addictive substance nicotine – may affect the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. As a consequence, smokers generally need higher doses of antipsychotic medication, which can lead to increased side-effects. Some studies show that people with a history of depression need extra support when they try to quit smoking, in particular from a doctor. Some antidepressant medications can make quitting easier for someone who has experienced depression.

Did you know?
Smoking is more common among people with mental illness than the general community. While 26% of Australians smoke, recent studies suggest that around 70% of people with mental illness smoke.

What can be done to help?
Most people make a number of attempts before they finally quit smoking. Just as smokers learned to smoke they must also learn to become smokefree and this takes time. Smokers need to make a decision to change their smoking habits. Try writing down the reasons for wanting to change and keep them with the cigarettes. Plan how to quit. find the right support program/person. Use nicotine patches or gum. Ready to quit? Ideas and strategies for how to be a non-smoker are important now. Try talking to other people who have quit smoking, do a Smokefree program, or talk to a doctor or pharmacist.
An enjoyable part of quitting or cutting down is planning how to spend the money previously spent on cigarettes.

The SANE Smokefree Zone is a resource pack specially designed for people with a mental illness to help them reduce and quit smoking. Contact SANE Australia for details.

The SANE Smokfree Kit is also available for health professionals, containing a group program designed to help with a mental illness to quit. Contact your local mental health clinic or rehabilitation program to find out if they have a Kit, or call SANE Australia for more information.

Who can help?
It is important to involve a doctor when trying to take control of smoking. Doctors can monitor medication levels and side-effects, advise on anti-depressant medication and advise on use of nicotine patches, chewing gum or a nicotine inhaler. Pharmacists are also a good source of information and support.

How do I find out more?
It is important that you ask a doctor about any concerns you have. SANE also produces a range of easy-to-read publications and multimedia resources on mental illness.

For more information about this topic see:
'The SANE SmokeFree Zone' (A pack to help consumers give up smoking). Use the Order Form which came with this Factsheet or visit the SANE Bookshop at www.sane.org

SANE Australia . . .Smoking and mental illness

©SANE Factsheet 16
This Factsheet may be freely downloaded, copied and distributed on condition no change is made to the contents. SANE Australia is not responsible for any actions taken as a result of information or opinions contained in the Factsheet. SANE Australia is a business name of Schizophrenia Australia Foundation.
[Version English, 2004.]