Individuals with mental health conditions have a higher prevalence of smoking and those who smoke tend to smoke more heavily than the general population. Australian research has reported smoking rates of up to 35% among patients suffering from common mental disorders (e.g-anxiety or substance use). A  study on smoking among people with schizophrenia reported prevalence of 60%. An Australian study found rates of 73% in men and 56% in women suffering from psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia. Among mentally ill in-patients with co-existing alcohol and other drug problems, smoking rates as high as 90% have been observed. 1

 

Smoking is also a huge financial burden. Many people with mental illness spend a lot of their income on cigarettes and have very little left for food, accommodation, transport, health and recreation.