A whopping 44% of all cigarettes in the US are smoked by people with a diagnosed mental illness. That number comes from "Smoking and Mental Illness" by Karen Lasser, MD et al; JAMA Vol. 284 No. 20.
And the number is probably even higher today. More and more people quit smoking, since it is no longer socially acceptable. Currently only 20% of US adults smoke, down from about 50% in the 50s and 60s.
People who have mental illnesses smoke at a rate of 50 to 80 percent, compared with less than 20 percent of the general population. These high-risk people also smoke many more cigarettes a day than a regular smoker -- often three packs. Furthermore, smokers with mental illness are much more likely to smoke their cigarettes right down to the filters.
Dr. Rost is a pharma litigation consultant and pharmaceutical marketing expert. He is also the author of Killer Drug and The Whistleblower.
Hello..I agree with your comments many people smoke because of mentally illness..to quit smoking is difficult but not impossible so,I have an one more site which is about quit smoking
Posted by: quit smoking | February 27, 2008 at 03:16 AM
Hi, please tell me different ways how one can quit smoking?
With regards,
Amanda,
Technical Support Operator
Posted by: Amanda | August 10, 2009 at 04:01 AM
great and very interesting information about 44% of all cigarettes smoked by people with mental illness. thanks for sharing!!!
Posted by: buy propecia | January 25, 2010 at 04:18 PM
hello people want to express my satisfaction with this blog very creative and I really like the views of the focus very good indeed
Posted by: buy valtrex | January 29, 2010 at 03:36 PM