Tobacco craving and withdrawal symptoms in psychiatric patients during a motivational enhancement intervention based on a 26-hour smoking abstinence period.

Introduction: In psychiatric patients, tobacco withdrawal symptoms are frequently seen as a barrier to smoking cessation; however, further studies are warranted in this specific population.

Methods: Patients receiving in- or out-patient mental health care participated in a motivational enhancement program including a 26-hour tobacco abstinence experience with professional support and optional nicotine replacement therapy. The study included 174 subjects, of whom 159 were evaluated 1 week before and at the end of the 26-hour abstinence period.

Staff representations and tobacco-related practices in a psychiatric hospital with an indoor smoking ban.

The present study describes representations about smoking and practices related to patient smoking among staff of a large public psychiatric hospital. A survey was performed using a specially designed questionnaire. The return rate was 72.