ABSTRACT
The association of nicotine dependence with psychiatric and substance use disorders has been well documented. Consistent with previous studies (1-3), Lasser and colleagues (4), in an analysis of population-based data from the National Comorbidity Survey, found that mental illness was associated with a doubling of the risk of smoking. Individuals with mental illness had elevated rates of smoking, represented a disproportionately high percentage of current smokers in the United States, and were estimated to smoke nearly half the cigarettes consumed in this country. Persons with a history of mental illness were also shown to have an increased prevalence and a higher rate of smoking. Various psychiatric and substance use disorders have been associated with current smoking status. The heaviest rates of smoking have been found among smokers with multiple lifetime psychiatric diagnoses.
