Breaking the Cycle of Commercial Tobacco Use in Recovery

The movement to reduce commercial tobacco use in the U.S. has made great strides, but some groups are still at risk of being left behind.

While the overall smoking rate has seen a decline over the past few decades, people with behavioral health conditions, especially those living with mental health and substance abuse disorders, continue to be disproportionately affected.

Commercial tobacco use is a major barrier to recovery for those living with mental health and substance use challenges. That’s why Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota supports the Lung Mind Alliance — a statewide coalition aiming to reduce the impact of commercial tobacco on these groups.

The Lung Mind Alliance focuses on the relationship between commercial tobacco use and mental health and substance use disorders — a complex issue that’s often overlooked.

Research shows that adults with mental illness and substance use disorders consume almost 40% of all cigarettes smoked in the U.S despite only representing 25% of the population. On top of that, people with mental health conditions are 2-3 times more likely to use commercial tobacco as a form of self-medication, seeking temporary relief from their symptoms.

But this short-term solution can lead to long-term harm, creating a never-ending cycle that exacerbates both tobacco and/or nicotine dependence and mental health issues.

Commercial tobacco use often worsens mental health symptoms. Quitting smoking has been linked to reduced anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as better overall quality of life.

“The research shows that when people get adequate support for tobacco recovery, their stress goes down, mental health improves, and they have a 25% greater chance of long-term recovery from other substances, all of which both informs and reinforces our commitments to this work,” said Reba Mathern-Jacobson, Senior Manager in Advocacy at the American Lung Association in Minnesota and Lung Mind Alliance Project Manager.

“We have nothing to lose, and a lot to gain by integrating tobacco and nicotine recovery into these other treatment settings.”

Currently, only 40% of Minnesota’s mental health treatment facilities and 31% of substance use disorder treatment programs offer commercial tobacco treatment. At the same time, 75% of adults with serious mental illnesses and substance use disorders want to quit smoking.

“Our experience in Minnesota reflects the research: In spite of decades of deep targeting by the tobacco industry, people with these challenges want to live tobacco-free just as much or more so than anyone else, in fact they are trying all the time. But they just haven’t been given adequate support,” said Mathern-Jacobson .

The Lung Mind Alliance aims to make this support more available by establishing commercial tobacco cessation as a part of the standard of care.