Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Legal News

Higher rates of smoking among those with mental health conditions found to lower life expectancy (18 April 2016)

Date: 18/04/2016
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Higher rates of smoking among those with mental health conditions found to lower life expectancy

A new report from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has found that smoking is the biggest contributing factor as to why people with mental health have a lower average lifespan, which is between 10 and 20 years less than the general population.

The report found that around one-third of adult smokers were people with a current mental health condition – among this group, smoking levels are double that of the general population.

The report also finds that those with mental health conditions frequently want to quit smoking, but are not being offered the relevant support.

The report has been endorsed by 27 health and mental health organisations and sets out recommendations for how smoking rates for those with a mental health condition could be reduced – including better access to the medications that will help people to quit, and moving to smoke-free mental health settings, alongside provision of the right support to smokers.

Professor Linda Bauld – Cancer Research UK’s cancer prevention champion – said:

“It’s vital that every smoker wanting to stop is supported to do so – and is offered advice and practical help.

“Smoking is the single largest preventable cause of inequalities in who develops cancer.

“Any person with an illness should be given the best possible care and be treated as an individual – people with mental health conditions who smoke and are dependent on nicotine are no different.

“It’s vital that every smoker wanting to stop is supported to do so and is offered advice and practical help – including having access to effective Stop Smoking Services.”

Former Health Minister and chair of the report, Paul Burstow, said it was time to challenge the idea that smoking among people with mental health conditions was either “inevitable or intractable”.

“It is not,” he said. “With a determined and collective effort, we can save millions of people from early death – and avoid years of life being blighted by heart and lung diseases, stroke and cancer.”

Data from Cancer Research UK show that nearly 20% of the UK's cancer cases are linked to tobacco exposure – including more than 37,000 cases of lung cancer, 5,500 oesophageal cancers, 4,400 mouth cancers, and nearly 5,000 cases of bladder cancer.

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is the UK’s largest provider of Legal Aid mental health services and can advise mental health patients on a wide range of issues – including access to NHS mental health services and detention under the Mental Health Act.

Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors regularly visit NHS hospitals and police stations to advise on mental health law – and are available nationwide at short notice for hospital and police station appointments.

In some cases, Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors may be able to advise the nearest relative or carer of a mental health patient on a range of issues, including initiating treatment reviews where appropriate.

For expert legal advice on mental health law, call the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 0333 772 0409.

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is Spencer House, 29 Grove Hill Road, Harrow, HA1 3BN. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.