Another reason to offer smoking cessation advice

According to a report prepared by Access Economics for SANE Australia 'Smoking and Mental Illness: Costs', smokers are two to four times more likely to develop mental illnesses.

The Report's Executive Summary notes "While smoking does provide short-term relief in relation to feelings of anxiety and depression, ironically people who take up smoking are also two to four times more likely to develop a mental illness – suggesting a complex relationship between smoking and mental illness since mental illness is also a risk factor for smoking (Breslau et al, 1991; Goodman and Capitman, 2000; Breslau, 1995; Amering et al, 1999; Weiser, 2004; Jablensky et al, 1999)."

The report advocates targeted smoking cessation campaigns for people with mental illness.