The aim of this study is to determine prevalence of tobacco-smoking and nicotine dependence among psychiatric patients; peculiarities of tobacco smoking and addiction according to diagnosis.

A population of 198 psychiatric inpatients were surveyed using a detailed smoking self-questionnaire for smoking habits, Fagerström Questionnaire, questionnaire for estimating type of smoking behavior and HAD (Hospital Anxiety and Depression) scale.

Smoking prevalence was higher among psychiatric patients than in general population. Correlations between level of nicotine dependence, types of smoking behavior and ICD-10 diagnoses were estimated. A significant proportion of psychiatric inpatients recognize that smoking is a problem, want to quit and would like attend smoking cessation therapy.

It was found that a majority of the patients wished to quit smoking, and that they would like to participate in a smoking cessation course.

There are many reasons why mentally ill persons may find it more difficult to quit smoking than mentally healthy smokers. Among the important reasons are: severe nicotine dependence, neurological vulnerability, self-medication with nicotine, lack of support from the surroundings, use of ineffective smoking cessation methods.