Cigarette Smoking and Schizophrenia: A Public Health Issue

Abstract

Cigarette smoking has been causally linked with a range of detrimental health consequences. Following the introduction of population-wide anti-smoking measures there has been an overall reduction in the prevalence of smoking to about 25% of the Australian population. These results, however, do not apply across the board as one of the most disadvantaged groups in our community, people with schizophrenia, do not appear to be receiving benefit from these public health measures. Further, the quality of life and even the ability to live independently in the community for this group might be compromised by these very same public health measures. Approximately 75% of people with schizophrenia smoke and those who have a psychiatric disability on average spend about 30% of their income on this habit. Recent research suggests that at least for some of these people, smoking is not simply a vice, but a means of obtaining a medication necessary for symptomatic relief of their disorder. Public health measures are required which take into account the evidence concerning the specific needs and social situations of people with schizophrenia.