Factors associated with attempts to stop smoking in people with psychotic disorders

Smoking rates in the Australian adult general population have dropped steadily but, in people with psychotic disorders, they remain highly prevalent and unchanged. Higher levels of nicotine dependence, high rates of cannabis co-use and a greater likelihood of being around other smokers may be barriers for smokers with psychotic disorders to attempt to stop. The health and social challenges smoking contributes to this population make it critical to understand how to better address this issue.

In this study, we examined smoking behaviours in 380 people with psychotic disorders. We aimed to identify factors associated with making a past-year attempt to stop smoking.

Results showed 81.3 % of participants were lifetime smokers, of whom 59.5 % were current smokers and 21.8 % had stopped. A total of 38.1 % of current smokers reported making a past-year attempt to stop. Factors associated with significantly increased odds of a past-year attempt included not enjoying smoking, discussing smoking with a GP, a past-year hospital admission, engaging in moderate to high levels of physical activity, and stopping cannabis use. The more cigarettes smoked, the lower the odds of an attempt to stop. Past-year mental health symptoms were not associated with making a stop attempt.

Concerted efforts are needed by all health professionals to reduce the high rates of smoking in this population. Encouraging and supporting people with psychotic disorders to make lifestyle changes including engaging in physical activity, ceasing cannabis use and reducing the number of cigarettes used may result in more smokers making an attempt to stop.