CAN PSYCHIATRIC AND CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY TREATMENT UNITS BE SMOKE-FREE

The feasibility and appropriateness of establishing smoke-free psychia tric and chemical dependency treatment units are topics of recent inte rest. This paper reviews the literature opt the implementation of smok e-free policies in psychiatric and chemical dependency treatment units . Several issues are addressed including (a) the concerns raised by tr eatment staff regarding the implementation of a smoke-free policy, (b) the effects of involuntary smoking cessation or reduction on the trea tment and/or recovery of patients, (c) the utilization of smoking cess ation interventions by patients and staff and (d) the effects of a smo ke-free environment on the smoking behavior of patients and staff It i s concluded that a smoke-free environment is a reasonable and achievab le goal in these settings. However, the implementation of a smoke-free policy in chemical dependency treatment units has met with several mo re problems than those observed in psychiatric settings. Recommendatio ns for further clinical research and program implementation are offere d.