The way that people with mental illness
use tobacco is different than others.
They smoke more often,
they inhale more deeply,
and they smoke the cigarettes down to the butt.
When they feel anxious and when they feel depressed,
just like anyone else, they're going to search
for a way to find relief.
The tobacco free campus policy
for the mental health sites
creates an environment of wellness,
and it protects everyone from
secondhand smoke and vaping aerosols.
We just took a two pronged approach to have a policy
to where all our campuses were
tobacco free campuses, but
also have the treatment
available to help those who are ready to quit.
Our job is to try to help them find better ways
of coping and better ways of relaxing and calming.
We have sessions where we talk to them about,
you know, what's making you anxious.
What can you do to alleviate anxiety other than smoking?
They can use controlled breathing.
They can exercise.
We encourage them to pick out those things
that they find enjoyable.
But we also talk to the family
about how they can best support
their patient in their recovery,
whether that's recovery from
staying clean from smoking,
or their mental health recovery.
It's the whole integrated approach.
You lose years of life when you use tobacco.
So I would hope that my patients, all of my patients
would be able to quit and never look back.
CDC's Office on Smoking and Health
has taken a tremendous leadership step
in making the behavioral health population
a priority for all of the states.
We would not be where we are right now
if they hadn't taken such a strong stance
and been such leaders in this area.
My hope for my patients
is that they receive the support
they need to be their best selves.
We're proud to be collaborating with the CDC
on tobacco control.
Together, we are improving
health outcomes in our communities.