Reading Corner: Smoking Cessation Programs among individuals with and without a Serious Mental Illness

A new study out of Israel compared enrollment, initiation, and completion of a smoking cessation program between individuals with and without a Serious Mental Illness (SMI). This study puts firm numbers behind what is already known about this issue. In short, individuals with an SMI were nearly two times more likely to register for the program–indicating a higher than average interest in quitting. However, smokers without an SMI were more likely to actually start the program (1.2), more likely to complete the program (1.5), and more likely to be abstinent at the program’s completion (1.5). The strongest factors predicting abstinence were program completion and the use of cessation medications. The practical takeaway is that individuals with SMI might benefit from interventions maintaining motivation between enrollment and program start and from education/support around medication uptake. Read more here.

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