Eliminating Tobacco-Related Disparities for Persons with Mental Illnesses: Development and Implementation of a Tobacco Cessation Toolkit

Forty-one percent (41%) of persons in the US who reported having recent mental illnesses also smoke cigarettes (Lasser et al., 2000). Previous studies have found that although quit rates for persons with mental illnesses are less than the general populations, smoking cessation rates are still substantial (e.g., Baker et al, 2006). The University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center (UCDHSC) has been developing cessation strategies tailored to this population's unique needs. In partnership with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), our research team has developed a practical, low burden tobacco cessation toolkit based on extensive focus groups, best practices and empirical research for persons with mental illnesses and the public health settings in which they are served. In addition we have begun a two-year randomized tobacco cessation study using the toolkit's cessation strategies. This investigation is a collaboration between the UCDHSC, CDPHE, Colorado Quitline, and Community Mental Health Centers. The statewide study is examining the effectiveness of two enhanced tobacco cessation strategies (i.e., use of the Colorado Quitline and a group counseling approach for tobacco cessation tailored to persons with mental illnesses) as compared to treatment as usual (i.e., basic assessment and referral) at four dispersed community sites. Preliminary data will be presented on comparisons of cessation rates, daily cigarette consumption, as well as biologic outcomes.