The great Smoking in Psych Services Debate

[info1001]

This is a topic we will have some strong opinions.

Just to declare my biases, I have never smoked, and live in  a smoke free house. My father, a doctor,  smoked all his life and was once almost killed by a smoking related cancer.

Healthwise smoking is clearly not a great idea!

But members of our society get to a bunch of things that are not, ultimately good choice, and human rights wise, personal choice is about our right to  choices, right or wrong.

It is a clinical outcomes issue too; it would be one more restriction to patients feeling of choice and the Theraputic relation ship – which in the final analysis reduces people’s likelihood to accept treatment, which in turn may cause even more harm to consumers.

This board is a place raise these issues, and exchange views, and possibly contemplate some group response.

What do you think!

[Dave]

Hi,

My personal opinion is that there should be outdoor smoking and non smoking areas.

Nicoteine replacements are not the whole answer .There is a host of   additives in cigarettes which are also addictive.

Then theirs the psychological problems associated without having a smoke in your hand,and and the cravings can become unbearable.

Perhaps there should be a limit as to how many cigarettes are made available to an inpatient.

I have also heard of non smokers becoming smokers whilst detained ...Hmmm !

Regards
Dave

 

[Smurf]

I am not a smoker, but when you are an Involuntary Patient, you are already stripped bare of so much. For me it would be bad enough not having coffee when I wanted it!

Personally I don't like people smoking near me - especially in the Observation/Lock up Room Courtyard (@ABC), but I don't think smoking should be banned altogether.

Perhaps a smoking area, where those who wish to smoke can be locked into or out of as appropriate would be a good solution??

[Carer]

I don't think there should be a debate about whether smoking is allowed or not in psychiatric hospitals.  It should be allowed.

If any of us go to a hospital for a physical operation, we are not forced to undergo 'treatment' for some potential psychological/psychiatric problem against our wills.  Neither if anyone is seriously mentally unwell should they be denied a cigarette because the anti-smoking lobby says it may cause a physical problem some time down the track.  It's not even that you *have* a physical problem caused by smoking, but that at some time in the future, you might.

The idea that you can be forced to stop smoking (temporarily) when the mental ailment for which you are actually in hospital has nothing to do with smoking at all is just amazing to me.  There is even evidence that smoking may help ease some mental ailments, and this is likely to be the reason so many people with mental illness smoke.  There is no evidence at all that being forced to stop smoking in a crisis situation helps anyone give up smoking.

Please see the other posting "Heavy-handed, anti-therapeutic and unjust" for more information.