Health Corner

Tobacco use has declined overall in recent decades, but it remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States—responsible for over 480,000 deaths each year. While many have successfully stopped smoking or never started, some populations continue to be more heavily impacted by tobacco use. One of those groups includes individuals living with mental health conditions.

A Closer Look: Mental Health and Tobacco Use
People living with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia are more likely to use tobacco—and they’re also more likely to suffer from its long-term health effects. In fact, individuals with mental health or substance use disorders make up about 25% of the U.S. adult population but consume roughly 40% of all cigarettes sold.

Why the disparity? The answer is complex, but one contributing factor is the historical targeting of this group by the tobacco industry. For years, tobacco companies provided free cigarettes to psychiatric hospitals and funded misleading studies to promote the false idea that smoking helps manage mental illness. Unfortunately, those tactics worked—and the consequences are still being felt today.

Clearing Up Common Myths
Let’s address a few of the common myths that still circulate around tobacco use and mental health:

Myth #1: People with mental illness don’t want to quit.
Truth: Most people who smoke—including those with mental health or substance use conditions—want to stop. They also want access to tools and support that can help them succeed.

Myth #2: They can’t quit.
Truth: Stopping can be more challenging for people with mental health conditions, but with the right support, they can stop just as successfully as anyone else.

Myth #3: Smoking helps relieve stress or symptoms of mental illness.
Truth: Smoking may feel like it helps stress because it relieves nicotine withdrawal. Life stress happens rather whether someone smokes or not. Nicotine withdrawal alone can cause feelings of stress, anxiety, and irritability and using nicotine temporarily relieves those feelings. It’s critical to recognize that this cycle of nicotine withdrawal, subsequent nicotine use, and alleviation of symptoms all starts with nicotine use in the first place.

Myth #4: Quitting smoking could interfere with recovery from other addictions.
Truth: The opposite is true. People who stop smoking while in recovery from alcohol or other drugs are actually more likely to stay sober. Research shows they have a 25% better chance of long-term recovery.

Hope and Help Are Available
The good news? Support is available—and it works. Stopping smoking improves both physical and mental health. It reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer, and lung disease, and it can improve mood, anxiety, and overall well-being.

If you or someone you know is curious about stopping, the Maryland Quitline is a free and confidential resource available to anyone age 13 and older. Through the Quitline, you can get connected with a trained coach—often a former smoker—who will help you develop a personalized plan. Free nicotine replacement therapy like patches or gum may also be available.

You can reach out to me at the Caroline County Health Department by calling 410-829-8048 for information or a referral. Folks can also call the Quitline directly at 1-800-QUIT-NOW to learn more.