NASW-NC Position Statement
Smoking in State Facilities
Session law 2007-193 (formerly House bill 24)
The Center for Disease Control states that one quarter of all deaths in the United States are associated with tobacco use and considered premature; there is no combating the fact that smoking is unhealthy. Unfortunately, nicotine has highly addictive qualities and abrupt cessation will result in withdrawal (Hempel, Kownacki, Main, Ozonde, Cormack, Sandoval, & Leinbach, 2002). When considering a ban on smoking in state facilities, it is imperative to consider the effects of this withdrawal on everyone the ban will effect, including the mentally ill.
It is reported that smoking prevalence among the mentally ill far exceeds that of the general population and cessation rates are significantly lower (Lawn & Pols, 2005). Additionally, the state facilities that treat the mentally ill often act as a home for the patient for any given amount of time. Denying the right of the client to smoke in the place of their residence goes beyond the intention of this bill. The primary concern of the NASW-NC is the effect that abrupt, unanticipated smoking cessation may have on the intended treatment while at the state facility. Smoking has been documented as, not only an addiction, but a means of stress relief and a coping mechanism. Interrupting the normative behavior of smoking while addressing a mental illness can provide considerable obstacles for success.
NASW-NC cannot support a bill that denies the clients’ right to self-determine behavior, and also has potential to harm the client and their treatment goals. Social work as a profession is committed to providing client centered treatment. Although mental illness has medical aspects, social workers come from the bio-psycho-social-emotional-spiritual model and value the clients’ perspective. A blanket ban on smoking in state facilities would negate the importance of the clients’ point-of-view, particularly in regard to the mentally ill.
It is suggested that more time be taken to consider the effects of this ban on the physical and mental health of the individuals it will affect. Implementing smoking cessation into a treatment plan while offering nicotine replacement treatment could reduce the negative impact of this ban and would be supported by NASW-NC.
Smoking in State Facilities
Session law 2007-193 (formerly House bill 24)
The Center for Disease Control states that one quarter of all deaths in the United States are associated with tobacco use and considered premature; there is no combating the fact that smoking is unhealthy. Unfortunately, nicotine has highly addictive qualities and abrupt cessation will result in withdrawal (Hempel, Kownacki, Main, Ozonde, Cormack, Sandoval, & Leinbach, 2002). When considering a ban on smoking in state facilities, it is imperative to consider the effects of this withdrawal on everyone the ban will effect, including the mentally ill.
It is reported that smoking prevalence among the mentally ill far exceeds that of the general population and cessation rates are significantly lower (Lawn & Pols, 2005). Additionally, the state facilities that treat the mentally ill often act as a home for the patient for any given amount of time. Denying the right of the client to smoke in the place of their residence goes beyond the intention of this bill. The primary concern of the NASW-NC is the effect that abrupt, unanticipated smoking cessation may have on the intended treatment while at the state facility. Smoking has been documented as, not only an addiction, but a means of stress relief and a coping mechanism. Interrupting the normative behavior of smoking while addressing a mental illness can provide considerable obstacles for success.
NASW-NC cannot support a bill that denies the clients’ right to self-determine behavior, and also has potential to harm the client and their treatment goals. Social work as a profession is committed to providing client centered treatment. Although mental illness has medical aspects, social workers come from the bio-psycho-social-emotional-spiritual model and value the clients’ perspective. A blanket ban on smoking in state facilities would negate the importance of the clients’ point-of-view, particularly in regard to the mentally ill.
It is suggested that more time be taken to consider the effects of this ban on the physical and mental health of the individuals it will affect. Implementing smoking cessation into a treatment plan while offering nicotine replacement treatment could reduce the negative impact of this ban and would be supported by NASW-NC.
References
Hempel, A.G., Kownacki, R., Malin, D., Ozone, S.J., Cormack, T.S., Sandovval, B.G.,
&Leinback, A.E. (2002). Effect of total smoking ban in a maximum security psychiatric hospital. Behavioral Sciences and Law, 20, 507-522.
Lawn, S. & Pols, R. (2005). Smoking bans in psychiatric inpatient settings? A review of the Research. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 39. 866-885
1 comment:
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