I can't smoke here? An investigation of smoke free polices and practices in substance abuse treatment facilities

Banning of tobacco products has traditionally decreased the amount of smoking in both the public and private sector.  However, little research has been conducted in places where tobacco is thought to maintain sobriety, such as substance abuse treatment facilities.   Information from recent studies indicates that abstinence from tobacco products during treatment can actually increase the chances of sobriety.  A recent push has many addiction treatment centers opting for a smoke-free environment, and in some cases requiring smoking abstinence of counselors and patients alike.  This study investigates the prevalence of smoking bans, and if these bans impact smoking attitudes and smoking cessation practices.  A total of 1026 program administrators in substance abuse treatment facilities were interviewed for a federally funded study.  Only 53.7% reported their substance abuse treatment center as being 100% smoke-free.  If a property was smoke-free, the program administrators were more likely to report: Smoking is not accepted as part of the staff culture (p<0.001); smoking cessation in an important issue in treatment of other substance abuse problems (p<0.001); smoking cessation can be worked into treatment protocols (p<0.001); continuing smoking will discourage successful treatment of the primary substance abuse treatment (p<0.001); staff have skills to provide smoking cessation treatments (p=0.002); and staff have an interest in providing patients with smoking cessation treatments (p<0.001).  This study highlights the importance smoke-free facilities have in changing attitudes and practices pertaining to smoking behaviors, even when traditional social norms dictate otherwise.