Smoking and mental health problems in treatment-seeking university students.

Smoking prevalence and daily cigarette consumption are significantly higher among individuals with mental health problems. Studies performed in the general population report greater levels of functional disability, more psychiatric symptoms, and poorer quality of life in heavy smokers. Less is known about the burden of tobacco in individuals seeking mental health care. A total of 503 treatment-seeking university students were evaluated with a standardized and validated computer assessment tool (PsyberCare-MH, Polaris Health Directions) that assessed subjective well-being; severity of psychiatric symptoms; and vocational, social, and personal functioning. These patients also were categorized as nonsmokers/occasional smokers (n = 384), light smokers (at least weekly use; n = 68), and heavy smokers (daily smoking >10 cigarette/day; n = 51). Compared with nonsmokers, heavy smokers, but not light smokers, reported substantially poorer well-being, greater symptom burden, and more functional disability (all scales p < .008). Smoking status should be assessed in all individuals seeking mental health treatment and appropriate cessation assistance should be provided.