Utility of Nicotine Inhalers Among Inpatients at a New York State Mental Health Facility

Well-described in scientific literature, tobacco addiction is particularly prevalent among patients with psychiatric diagnoses. Various nicotine replacement alternatives are available to individuals who require nicotine replacement. Nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, and inhalers are commonly available across the United States (though restrictions on prescribing and use do exist).

In the New York State mental health system, nicotine inhalers have become an increasingly popular choice for nicotine replacement among inpatients that are smokers at the time of admission to acute-care hospitals, whether their goal is short-term nicotine replacement or permanent smoking cessation. However, little is known about the motivation(s) for choosing nicotine inhaler use as compared to other forms of nicotine replacement. Moreover, the effect of nicotine inhaler use on long-term smoking cessation is unclear. Furthermore, sparse data exists regarding the relationship of nicotine inhaler use to the behavioral component of tobacco addiction. Finally, the effects of nicotine inhalers on relationships between patients (e.g. a source of friction and/or jealousy) has not been explored in detail.

The authors present a review of 50 patient records from a mental health facility in New York State. This review aims to characterize the use of nicotine inhalers among inpatients who are known to be active smokers at time of admission to the facility. Personal and group behavior issues related to nicotine inhaler use among a subset of inpatients is explored. Additionally, the long-term effectiveness of nicotine inhalers as part of smoking cessation strategies is assessed and discussed.