Nursing implementation of smoking bans on psychiatric wards

Although the prevalence of tobacco dependence among psychiatric inpatients far exceeds that of the general population, psychiatric inpatients are concerned about the health risks and financial impact of their addiction. Financial resources heretofore invested in supporting psychiatric patients' smoking and treatment of cigarette related illnesses can be reallocated to underwrite patient education. Comprehensive nursing care of tobacco dependent patients addresses knowledge deficits through individual and group treatment modalities.