People With Mental Health Conditions
Know the Facts
Smoking is much more common among adults with mental health conditions than in the general population.
- In fact, in 2019, 27.2% of U.S. adults with any mental illness reported smoking cigarettes during the past month compared to 15.8% of adults with no mental illness.*,†
- Approximately 1 in 4 (or 25%) of adults in the U.S. have some form of mental illness or substance use disorder, and these adults consume almost 40% of all cigarettes smoked by adults.*
Learn what percent of people currently smoke cigarettes, both in the United States overall and among specific populations.
People with mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety, face challenges in quitting smoking and may benefit from extra help to succeed. With the right support, you can quit smoking without worsening your mental health condition. In fact, studies show that quitting smoking can be good for your mental health.
Quitting smoking may make some people depressed or anxious, whether quitting with medication or not. If you have feelings of depression or anxiety lasting for more than two weeks or that get worse, you should get help. Talk to your doctor and seek appropriate emergency help.
- Sometimes people who are feeling depressed think about hurting themselves or dying. If you or someone you know is having these feelings, get help now.
- Call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department for emergency medical treatment.
Don’t be alone. Don’t leave another person alone if they are in crisis.
- Text QUITNOW to 333888—Message and data rates may apply
- quitSTART appexternal icon—tips, information, and challenges to help you quit
- 1-800-QUIT-NOW
- 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (Español [Spanish])
- Asian Smokers’ Quitlineexternal icon
- 1-800-838-8917 (中文 (Chinese) [Cantonese & Mandarin])
- 1-800-556-5564 (한국어 [Korean])
- 1-800-778-8440 (Tiếng Việt [Vietnamese])
Quit Smoking Medications
There are 7 quit-smoking medicines approved by the FDA. Explore ways to get free or reduced cost quit-smoking medicines from your health insurance, health plan, or other sources.
Rebecca M., age 57, struggled with depression and smoked cigarettes to help her cope with her feelings. The more Rebecca smoked, the harder she felt it was to quit. Rebecca finally quit smoking for good after getting care for her depression. She now leads a smokefree life.
“I quit smoking and I got care for my depression.”
*Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2018 and 2019. Published: September 11, 2020. 2019 NSDUH Detailed Tables
†Lipari R, Van Horn S. Smoking and Mental Illness Among Adults in the United States. The CBHSQ Report: March 30, 2017. Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Rebecca M., age 57, struggled with depression and smoked cigarettes to help her cope with her feelings. The more Rebecca smoked, the harder she felt it was to quit. Rebecca finally quit smoking for good after getting care for her depression. She now leads a smokefree life.
“I quit smoking and I got care for my depression.”