New findings from the YouGov COVID-19 Tracker [1] indicate that
smokers with existing mental health problems are more likely to
have quit successfully since the pandemic hit than other smokers
(10% of ex-smokers with a mental health problem compared to 7% of
those without [2]). This is at a time when poor mental health is
reportedly on the increase. [3] In further good news, smokers
with a mental health condition are also more likely to report
they have started using an e-cigarette (14% compared with 8% of
those with no mental health problems), [4] which is likely to
improve their chances of quitting longer term. The impact of
quitting smoking on mental health is equivalent to taking
anti-depressants in relieving depression and anxiety. [5]
Joanne Hart is a Psychological Wellbeing
Practitioner for a Devon IAPT service, working to
support people with mental health problems make behaviour change.
She quit smoking at the start of the crisis:
“COVID was a huge factor. I have asthma and I felt it
was ridiculous to continue smoking during a respiratory pandemic.
Quitting has had a massive benefit to my physical and mental
health. I have a history with depression, and I knew if I quit
smoking it would help, and it has.
“My message to those working in mental health is to be
hopeful for every individual; anyone can stop smoking and
everyone deserves help to quit.”
However, while this high success rate is good news, among
those smokers with mental health problems who have not quit
smoking behaviours appear to have become more entrenched to the
detriment of their physical and mental health. Smokers with
mental health problems are more likely to report they are:
-
Smoking more (40% of smokers with a mental health problem
say they are smoking more compared to 26% of smokers without
[6]);
-
Smoking more indoors (18% of smokers with a mental health
problem are smoking more inside compared to 12% of those
without [7]); and,
-
Less likely to quit as a result of COVID (20% compared to
13%).
The Mental Health and Smoking Partnership,[8] a coalition
of organisations working to reduce rates of smoking among people
with mental health problems, are backing a campaign to get more
smokers to quit at this time.[9] The Today is the Day campaign,
led by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), encourages smokers to
quit today.
Chair of the Mental Health and Smoking Partnership,
Professor Ann McNeill from King’s College London backed the
campaign urging health and care workers not to overlook smokers
with mental health problems:
“There are so many physical health benefits to quitting
smoking that the impact on mental health is often overlooked. It
is great news that smokers with mental health problems are
successfully quitting in greater numbers, but we must do more to
reach those who have not yet quit.
“To ignore them is to miss the chance not only to
improve their physical health but to help address the increase
we’re seeing in poor mental health.”
Dr Nick Hopkinson, respiratory physician and chair of ASH,
said:
“We estimate that a million smokers in the UK have quit
since the COVID-19 crisis hit, but we need to make sure no
smokers are left behind. Health professionals who are seeing
people who have mental health problems should make sure that they
have the help they need to quit smoking as a way to improve their
mental as well as their physical health.”
ENDS
Notes
References
[1] The survey was conducted between
15th April and 6th July 2020. It was an
online survey using the YouGov panel. For more information on the
YouGov Covid Tracker see: https://yougov.co.uk/covid-19.
[2] Based on 2,785 ex-smokers surveyed between
15th April and 6th July 2020
Calculations are by Dr Leonie Brose at National Addictions
Centre, King’s College London.
[3] Pierce M et al, Mental health before and during the
COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal probability sample survey of
the UK population, July 2020, The Lancet
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(20)30308-4/fulltext
[6] Based on 812 smokers surveyed between 15th
April and 6th July Calculations are by Dr Leonie
Brose at National Addictions Centre, King’s College
London.
[7] Based on 1,050 smokers surveyed between
15th April and 6th July 2020
Calculations are by Dr Leonie Brose at National Addictions
Centre, King’s College London.
[8] More information about The Mental Health and Smoking
Partnership here.
[9] The campaign is being funded by Department of Health
and Social Care and is running in parts of England with high
rates of smoking. The campaign is a combination of digital
display adverts and audio adverts on radio and digital mediums.
See the advert here
and stories of successful quitters here.
