Londoners urged to seek help to break ‘vicious cycle’ of smoking and mental illness

Giving up smoking is possible with trusted support and will boost your mental health.

That is the message of a new campaign that aims to help Londoners break the “vicious cycle” of mental illness and smoking which is cutting lives short by up to 20 years.

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Smoking rates among people with a mental health condition are significantly higher than within the general UK population, and rates increase with the severity of the illness.

These range from 26% among people suffering with stress and anxiety challenges to more than 45% among adults diagnosed with a serious mental health illness.

This week (8-12 June), Stop Smoking London is running a campaign to highlight the high smoking rates among people with a range of mental health conditions, along with the support available across the capital to help smokers quit. This includes free services provided by local authorities, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), vapes and a mobile phone app with 24/7 access to advisors.

People living with a mental health condition who currently smoke are being advised:

• Quitting is possible – and trusted support that works can help you do it.
• You’re not alone – friends, colleagues and peers can act as your support team.
• Set a quit date – it’s one of the strongest predictors of success.
• Ask for treatment – medication and NRT are safe and effective for people with mental health conditions.
• Download the Smoke Free app for 24/7 support, 12 weeks’ free vapes and NRT and motivational tips.
• Smoking doesn’t reduce stress but quitting does – there are better ways to cope with stress and anxiety.
• Your mental health matters – stopping smoking improves mood, anxiety, and wellbeing.

Dr Ed Beveridge, Medical Director at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust and clinical lead for the campaign, said:

“Evidence shows people with mental health conditions not only smoke significantly more but are also less likely to get help to stop, and they are therefore at a greater risk of smoking-related harm.

“This creates a vicious cycle as mental illness means that people are twice as likely to smoke, and the resulting nicotine dependence can make some of their mental health symptoms worse.

“This year, our campaign places particular focus on lung health check and lung cancer screening inequalities, recognising that people with serious mental illness are also less likely to have lung checks and get screened – as well as being more likely to be diagnosed late – so that puts them at even greater risk of smoking-related harm.

“There isn’t a one-size-fits-all way to quit smoking but we have a range of support available across London and you can choose the options that work best for you. You’re more likely to quit smoking with support – three times more likely in fact – so please come forward because help is at hand. Your mental health matters.”

Smoking rates have reduced greatly over the last four decades, with a current prevalence in London of 10.6%. But that still represents about 760,000 Londoners, each of whom will beat greater risk of serious illness and will lose on average 10 years of life.

Smoking drives three of the top four causes of early death in people with mental ill health – cardiovascular disease, lung disease and cancer – and those living with an SMI die on average 15-20 years earlier than those in the general UK population.

Smokers seeking to quit can access a range of help and support across London. This includes the Smokefree app which is available through Stop Smoking London and provides 24/7 access to smoking cessation advisors and nicotine replacement therapies.

London’s local authorities provide smoking cessation support and you can find what is offered in your area at Support to Quit Smoking – Stop Smoking London.

People receiving ongoing mental health treatment should speak to a healthcare professional about the options available to them. Support from a tobacco dependency advisor may be offered, depending on a person’s individual needs.

For more information on getting support to quit smoking, including services available in your area, visit the Stop Smoking London website at www.stopsmokinglondon.com

The NHS offers free Targeted Lung Health Checks (formerly lung cancer screening) to current and former smokers aged 55 to 74 who are registered with a GP. If you fit the criteria and live in a participating area, you will receive an invitation in the post. For more information, read the NHS Lung Cancer Screening Overview