Smokefree

Smoking and mental health

The use of tobacco is known to be more prevalent amongst mental health patients than in the general population. Studies of mental health patients have found that up to 70% of inpatients smoke and around 50% of inpatients are heavy smokers (there is building evidence suggesting a link between the severity of the mental illness and the use of tobacco).

We aim to support service users to stop smoking and by doing so, improve their health, wellbeing and life expectancy, as well as in some cases reducing levels of medication and therefore potentially experiencing less side effects. It is believe that this will lead to better health outcomes and support rehabilitation and recovery.

We are Smokefree from 1 October 2018

All Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust locations are smokefree this means patients, service users, staff and visitors are not able to smoke in the grounds.

We are doing this to help improve the long-term health of the people we care for. We understand this might be distressing but we are here to help.
We can provide mental health care alongside supporting both service users and staff to become non-smokers. If you are not ready to stop, we can still help.

View our Trust Smoke Free Policy . Find out more on the GMMH Intranet.

We are very proud to support Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) History Makers and Smokefree Summer inspiring a smokefree generation.

After a survey of thousands of people in Greater Manchester, the History Makers results are in, and the vast majority of people:

• Want to have more smokefree outdoor spaces
• Agree that tobacco should be licensed
• Would like people to be warned about the dangers of smoking

And overwhelmingly you want to Make Smoking History in Greater Manchester. Find out more about the initiative here and how you can get involved.

NHS Better Health - Quit Smoking

The NHS Better Health website have guidance and resources to support you to stop smoking. Find out more here.

Download the stop smoking app!

Receive daily support on your iPhone with this 30-day quit smoking app. Includes a motivational counter and calendar to keep you on track. Download it today!

 

Mental health and smoking partnership

Smoking prevalence among people with a mental health condition is higher than the average rate in the general population. The Mental Health and Smoking Partnership aims to address this disparity in smoking rates and ensure smokers with a mental health condition are not left behind as we move towards a smokefree generation.

Read more here.