Smoking and mental health

Benefits of quitting

• Stopping smoking for six weeks or more is linked with improved physical and mental health.
• It also helps improve your quality of life.
• Smoking only temporarily relieves nicotine withdrawal symptoms and the stress this causes. 
• Smoking does not relieve any other stress.
• Stopping smoking may cause stress in the short term, but over time most people will feel less stressed.

Download the 'What happens when you stop smoking timeline' brochure

Where to go for help with quitting

• Call Quitline on 13 78 48
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist
• Visit Quit Tasmania
• Visit Smoke Free Generation for younger people 
• Download MyQuitBuddy app
• Speak to a smoking cessation nurse if you are in hospital.

Learn more about quitting smoking

For health professionals

• People with severe mental illness are likely to die earlier due to smoking related illness. 
• Around 1 in 3 Tasmanians who smoke have a mental health disorder. 
• Tasmanians with a mental health disorder are almost 2 times more likely to smoke. 

Download the smoking and mental illness snapshot

Why you should talk about smoking

• Smoking increases the risk of anxiety and depression.  
• It is also associated with an increased risk of  psychosis and suicide. 
• Stopping smoking for six weeks or more is linked with improved physical and mental health. 
• It also helps improve your quality of life. 
• Smoking only temporarily relieves nicotine withdrawal symptoms and the stress this causes.  
• Smoking does not relieve any other stress. 
• Stopping smoking may cause stress in the short term, but over time most people will feel less stressed. 

Download the 'Why Should I Talk About Smoking?' brochure

How you can talk about smoking

A = Ask 

Ask all people if they smoke. Asking gives a person the opportunity to discuss their smoking. 

B = Brief Advice 

Give clear advice on the benefits of being smoke free. Personalise your advice to that person. 

C = Cessation Support 

Offer support, even if a person is not ready to quit. Recommend nicotine replacement therapy and refer to the Quitline. 

People with mental illness who smoke can quit by using nicotine replacement therapy and receiving counselling.

Download the ‘How do I talk about smoking?’ brochure

Other resources

Brochures and factsheets

• What happens when you stop smoking timeline
• Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) brochure

Posters

• Download postcards of real people quitting smoking
• Let’s Start a Conversation campaign poster

Videos

Let's start a conversation (campaign video)

 

Starting a conversation

 

So I have started a conversation, what's next?

 

Stopping smoking saves money

 

Jason's story

 

Sharon's story