Addressing tobacco dependence in psychiatric practice: promises and pitfalls

Tony P. George, University of Toronto
Douglas M. Ziedonis, University of Massachusetts Medical School

Abstract

The authors reflect on the two research papers published within the June 2009 issue of "The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry" which focus on tobacco use in mental health and addictive (MHA) populations. They highlight the impact of tobacco morbidity on psychiatric practice which requires skills in identifying tobacco use and initiating treatment. The also cite how the policies that govern the environment within which the patients are being treated affect the implementation of tobacco treatment.