Tobacco and Behavioral Health
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 25% of adults in the United States have a mental health or substance use disorder (i.e., behavioral health condition). These adults consume almost 40% of all cigarettes smoked by adults in the United States.
In fact, people with behavioral health conditions die about five years earlier than people without such conditions, more than 50% from tobacco-attributable diseases. In addition:
- Individuals with behavioral health conditions are more likely than those without such conditions to smoke and to smoke more heavily; and they account for nearly half of all tobacco-related deaths each year.
- Smoking can exacerbate mental health symptoms and complicate treatment.
- Quitting smoking can improve mental health and substance use disorder recovery outcomes.
Behavioral health treatment settings have permitted tobacco use among clients, in part because of misperceptions that smoking could alleviate symptoms of mental health conditions and that cessation could interfere with treatment. However, research has shown that smoking can worsen symptoms and behavioral health outcomes, and quitting can improve mental health and substance use disorder treatment outcomes.
TFKC has created this section of our website to assist Kansans who use tobacco and nicotine products, as well as those providers who help individuals to quit using, and find the resources they need to live tobacco and nicotine free.
Resources
Sources and Directories
Reports and Data
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