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Smoking in chronic psychiatric illness: is it worth it?

St. John of God Hospital, Stillorgan, Co., Dublin

Noel Sheppard, Consultant Psychiatrist

Waterford Regional Hospital, Waterford

^* Correspondence

The prevalence of smoking is higher among chronic psychiatric patients than the general population, in spite of their lower income. The purpose of this study was to calculate the percentage of income these patients spend on smoking and to discuss the relationship between smoking and chronic psychiatric disorders, in particular schizophrenia. Ninety-six smokers were included in the study. The mean percentage expenditure on smoking was 29.4% of income. We discuss why chronic psychiatric patients smoke so much, why they should not, and what factors may encourage them to quit.