The alarming link between disability and smoking

Key points:

• Tobacco smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disability in Australia and is estimated to have killed 1,280,000 Australians between 1960 and 2020

• In 2019, people with mental health conditions were over twice as likely to smoke daily as people who had not been diagnosed or treated for mental health conditions

• Smoking prevalence among people with schizophrenia living in the U.S. is estimated to be from 64 – 79 percent, with similar rates worldwide

This edition of Disability Support Guide touches on the relationship people with disability have to smoking. Smoking is often thought of as a dirty habit, but to some people, it’s a form of stress relief. This article covers the link between people with disability and smoking habits, along with how to quit.

Australians who smoke are more likely to be from a lower socio-economic background, First Nations peoples, live with a disability, live with drug and/or alcohol dependence, identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or have lower levels of education when compared to the national average. People who identify with marginalised groups in society may have overlapping identities or backgrounds which could compound their likelihood of smoking or risk of associated harm.

The link between smoking and people who live with disability

People who live with a mental health condition are far more likely to smoke than the general population in Australia, but similar patterns have been found in the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, among other countries. Smoking can negatively affect mental health, with a reduction in smoking found to decrease symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation or behaviours.

Smoking may serve as a way to calm down, de-stress or leave a potentially mentally distressing situation — however, new research has uncovered that the stress of cigarette cravings may actually add to existing mental health worries. Essentially, when a person is addicted to smoking and begins to crave a cigarette, the brain enters a sense of panic which is then rewarded by satisfying the craving. The easier option for someone impacted by a psychosocial disability or diagnosed mental health condition is to simply avoid the habit altogether.

However, research into the vast majority of people living with schizophrenia found that there may be a genetic component that accounts for a greater likelihood of nicotine addiction and psychosis. Studies have also examined the difficulty that people with schizophrenia may experience when attempting to quit, along with the difference in cognitive impact that nicotine may have for people with the condition when compared to the general population. In particular, the dopamine ‘reward centre’ release within the brain from smoking tobacco may offset many of the ‘negative’ symptoms for a person with schizophrenia and counteract the side effects of antipsychotic medication.

Further research is also needed to examine the link between the onset of Parkinson’s disease and cigarette addiction. The American Academy of Neurology found those who had smoked in the past and quit were 22 percent less likely to develop Parkinson’s than people who had never smoked. People who smoked for 40 or more years were 46 percent less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than people who never smoked.

Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia are two conditions which require further scientific research to determine existing gaps in knowledge. Currently, smoking is proven to cause:

• Cancer
• Breathing problems and chronic respiratory conditions
• Heart disease, stroke and blood circulation problems
• Diabetes
• Infections
• Dental problems
• Hearing loss
• Vision loss
• Fertility problems
• Osteoporosis and menopause

Why should I quit smoking?

If you live in Australia and the innumerable health risks associated with smoking are not enough to deter you — look at your bank balance. Analysis by consumer comparison website finder.com.au found that $14 billion dollars is spent on cigarettes across the country annually. Of the 2.8 million regular smokers, finder.com.au found that each spends more than $100 per week on average, for a total average individual cost of $5,237 a year. The Federal Government has consistently cracked down on the affordability, accessibility and cultural perception of smoking. Live a healthier and wealthier life by committing to butt out.

Where to find support and kick the habit?

For more information about health risks, strategies for quitting and mental health support, please refer to the following resources:

Be Smoke Free — 13 78 48

Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636

Lifeline — 13 11 14

Mental Health Emergency — 13 14 65

My QuitBuddy on:

• iTunes

• Google Play

• Windows

If you are Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander person who wants to quit smoking, the Quitline has Aboriginal counsellors available to support you. Call 13 78 48.

Let the team at Talking Disability and Disability Support Guide know your top tips to flick your habit and wish cancer ‘ashes to ashes.’