Effects of a complete smoking ban on inpatients at an intermediate to long-term psychiatric facility

Community Ment Health J. 2013 Apr;49(2):193-8. doi: 10.1007/s10597-012-9532-z. Epub 2012 Jul 25.

Abstract

The majority of research on reactions to smoking bans in psychiatric facilities focuses on staff feedback in acute inpatient settings. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess inpatient attitudes about a complete smoking ban in an intermediate to long-term psychiatric facility. One hundred inpatients were surveyed via questionnaire. Inpatients reported changes in smoking and improvements in health as a result of the ban, despite evidence of non-compliant smoking at the facility. There was evidence that inpatients perceived others' attitudes about the ban to be worse than reality. The findings from this pilot study suggest that consequences of smoking bans in psychiatric facilities are not as negative as some perceive. Smoking bans in intermediate to long-term settings may result in improvements in health among both smoking and non-smoking patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Attitude to Health
  • Female
  • Hospitals, Psychiatric
  • Humans
  • Inpatients / psychology*
  • Inpatients / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Mental Disorders / therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Organizational Policy
  • Pilot Projects
  • Public Policy
  • Smoking / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Smoking Prevention
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / prevention & control
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution