title: Tobacco use and mental illness: a wake-up call for psychiatrists.
abstract: Tobacco use results in numerous consequences for individuals with mental illnesses and other substance use disorders, yet it is not adequately addressed by behavioral health professionals, including psychiatrists. This column describes current inaction among behavioral health professionals and some possible reasons for it and recommends next steps. Psychiatrists should provide treatment for all patients with a co-occurring tobacco use disorder and provide leadership to change policies and practices in treatment centers. Psychiatrists can be vital leaders of the effort to reduce the toll of tobacco use among people with mental illnesses, addictions, or both. A national movement for addressing tobacco use in the behavioral health field can be galvanized if more psychiatrists participate.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Williams is with the Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey (e-mail: jill.williams@rutgers.edu ). Dr. Stroup is with the Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City. Dr. Brunette is with the Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire and the Bureau of Behavioral Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Concord, New Hampshire. Dr. Raney is with Axis Health System, Durango, Colorado. Benjamin G. Druss, M.D., M.P.H., is editor of this column.
authors.forename: Jill M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: T Scott
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Stroup
authors.forename: Mary F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Brunette
authors.forename: Lori E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Raney
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010819:Physician's Role; D011364:Professional Practice; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000379:methods; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy