Smoking cessation in women with severe mental illness: exploring the role of exercise as an adjunct treatment.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of exercise in smoking cessation in women with severe mental illness (SMI).

Methods: Semistructured interviews with 12 women diagnosed with SMI receiving smoking cessation treatment were conducted.

Results: Participants perceived three roles for exercise in assisting smoking cessation--addressing fears with preexisting chronic health conditions, emotion management and distraction, and weight management. Most participants identified health care providers (HCPs) as needing to play a supportive role in integrating exercise into smoking cessation attempts.

Conclusion: Findings support a potential role for exercise in facilitating smoking cessation among women with SMI.

Practice Implications: HCPs should consider developing referral links with exercise specialists to facilitate smoking cessation in women with SMI.