Ending the addiction to tobacco is a process that starts one day at a time.  And each tobacco-free minute brings you closer to a healthier life.  The American Cancer Society sets aside the third Thursday in November as the Great American Smokeout – a day for smokers to begin their plan to quit smoking for good.

People with mental and/or substance use disorders account for 40 percent of all cigarettes smoked in the United States.  In one year, that’s about 177 billion cigarettes—enough to stretch to the moon and back 17 times.

For some with mental illness, smoking might seem pleasurable or like a way to reduce stress.  Those in recovery from substance use might worry that quitting smoking could jeopardize their abstinence from other substances.  But research indicates otherwise.  In fact, smoking appears to interfere with behavioral health.  Quitting smoking, on the other hand, can improve mental health and addiction recovery outcomes.  For example, studies show that:

May 31 is World No Tobacco Day, and if you smoke, it’s a great opportunity to quit or make a plan to quit. It’s one of the most positive changes you can ever make for your health.

When you first quit smoking, there are certain situations that can trigger a strong urge to smoke. For example, former smokers may associate having a cigarette with drinking coffee or another caffeinated beverage. However, if you’ve just quit smoking or are trying to quit, there’s something you should know – smokers and non-smokers process caffeine differently.

From September 21-27, we celebrate Bisexuality Awareness Week.  In honor of this upcoming event, I’d like to talk about the “B” in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community.  Did you know that, of all those who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual, half identify as bisexual? That means the “B” the largest segment of the LGBT community.

Smoking remains the nation’s leading cause of preventable disease and death. SAMHSA recognizes the connection between behavioral health issues and tobacco use. In fact, individuals with a mental and/or substance use disorder account for 40% of all cigarettes smoked in the United States.  To help address this huge disparity, SAMHSA is partnering with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on their Million Hearts® Initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017.

Tobacco use continues to be the largest cause of disease and premature death in the United States, yet nearly one in five Americans still smoke. Individuals with mental or substance use disorders smoke at even higher rates, causing many to die too early from preventable, smoking-related health problems. That’s why SAMHSA is supporting the American Cancer Society's (ACS) annual Great American Smokeout on November 21.