Clinicians are missing opportunities to help smokers with mental health problems quit, according to the Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Clinicians are missing opportunities to help smokers with mental health problems quit, according to the Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Their report found people with mental disorders smoke more cigarettes, are more addicted to nicotine and find it harder to quit, than peers.
Although NHS mental health trusts in England have smoke-free policies, lack of monitoring makes it difficult to evaluate effectiveness.
QOF indicators should measure and incentivise smoking cessation, not just quitting advice, it recommends. Professionals working in mental health should have mandatory training in smoking awareness.