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Milestone One
Emily Higdon
Southern New Hampshire University
CHE-110: Intro. To Community Health
Dr. Enjoli T. Sidonie
March 25, 2025
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The relationship between smoking and mental health is a serious public health concern
because people with mental health disorders are more likely to smoke and become addicted to
nicotine, which raises their risk of illness and has a negative impact on their mental health.
Although there is evidence that smoking exacerbates stress and anxiety and is not a beneficial
stress management method, some people who smoke with mental health concerns think it helps
manage these conditions. “A larger proportion of people diagnosed with mental disorders report
cigarette smoking compared with people without mental disorders” (National Institute on Drug
Abuse, 2023). Smoking is far more common among people with mental health disorders like
schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression than among people without such disorders.
Poorer results and greater incidence of mental health problems are associated with
poverty, joblessness, and illiteracy. Lack of availability of green places, pollution, and violent
situations can all have a detrimental effect on mental health. Childhood trauma, abuse, and
abandonment can impact mental health for a long time. Smoking-related diseases like cancer,
coronary artery disease, and respiratory disorders disproportionately affect those with mental
health difficulties, increasing mortality rates. Nonsmokers are at risk for health problems from
secondhand smoke exposure, especially children and those with respiratory conditions.
For people with mental health disorders, quitting smoking can prolong life expectancy
and greatly improve physical health. “Mental health conditions also often intersect with social
determinants of health that can challenge successful quitting, such as stressful living conditions
and low annual income” (World Health Organization, 2021). Because nicotine can exacerbate
symptoms and interact with prescriptions, quitting smoking can increase the efficacy of mental
health therapies. There are several societal and financial advantages to reducing smoking among
those with mental health issues, such as lower medical expenses and more productivity.
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This health issue can be addressed in the community several different ways. We can raise
awareness by dispeling falsehoods and spreading fact-based information to inform the public
about the connection involving smoking and mental health. Make evidence-based smoking
cessation therapies accessible, such as medication and behavioral assistance, and include them
into mental health services. Promote laws that limit tobacco exposure and access, such as those
governing smoke-free areas and tobacco products. Acknowledge the community's variety and
modify interventions to fit the unique requirements of various groups. Public health agencies can
create and carry out public health initiatives that highlight the connection between smoking and
mental health and provide information on quitting. Policy makers can encourage laws that
restrict access to tobacco, raise costs, and encourage smoke-free locations, particularly in mental
health settings. To reach underserved communities and offer culturally appropriate interventions,
community organizations can collaborate with neighborhood organizations.
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References
NIDA. 2023, February 24. Do people with mental illness and substance use disorders use
tobacco more often?. Retrieved from
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/tobacco-nicotine-e-cigarettes/do-
people-mental-illness-substance-use-disorders-use-tobacco-more-often on 2025, March
30
World Health Organization. (2021, November 8). The vicious cycle of tobacco use and mental
illness – a double burden on health. World Health Organization.
https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/08-11-2021-the-vicious-cycle-of-tobacco-use-
and-mental-illness-a-double-burden-on-health
