Department of Mental Health Tobacco Free Campus Initiative

Tobacco-Free Campus Initiative

On December 11, 2009, The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) campuses went tobacco-free. Smoking and the use of other tobacco products are not allowed inside or on the grounds of EOHHS property. By implementing a tobacco free-campus policy, EOHHS is protecting its employees, clients and visitors from secondhand smoke while promoting living a life free from tobacco.

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the Commonwealth and is a significant factor in healthcare costs. The 2006 U.S. Surgeon General's Report The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke definitively states that there is "no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke." Research shows that tobacco control policies and protocols can curb tobacco use and its health and economic toll.

Smoking prevalence is among the highest for people with mental illness - approximately 75 % of individuals with serious mental illness are tobacco dependent compared to 22% of the general population. Individuals with a mental illness and/or substance use disorder consume about 44% of all cigarettes in the United States. People with mental illness also experience higher rates of disease and premature death than the general population and are dying prematurely - 25 years earlier than the general population - largely from tobacco caused diseases.

The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) recognizes the essential role of wellness in recovery from psychiatric illness. Through the Tobacco-Free Campus Initiative, EOHHS and DMH have taken an important step toward creating a healthy and supportive environment for consumers, visitors and employees. This initiative is complemented by the DMH Healthy Changes Initiative.

Effective treatments are now available. Below are resources and tools for helping individuals with mental illness to quit smoking and to support the continued implementation of a tobacco-free system of care.

Presentations and Training Resources

• NASMHPD Technical Report on Smoking in State Operated Psychiatric Facilities (PPT) 
  
• Pharmacological Treatments for Smoking Cessation (PPT)  file size 1MB

Toolkits and Articles

• Addressing Tobacco Through Organizational Change: Training for DMH & Other Agencies (PPT) 
  
• Destination Tobacco Free: A Pratical Toolkit for Hospitals and Health Systems (PDF)  file size 2MB file size 13MB
  
• Tobacco Free Living in Psychiatric Settings: A Best Practices Toolkit Promoting Wellness and Recovery (PDF)  file size 1MB
  
• Addressing Tobacco Use Through Organizational Change (PDF)  file size 1MB
  
• Tobacco Treatment for Persons with Substance Abuse Disorders: A Toolkit for Substance Abuse Treatment Providers (PDF)  file size 5MB file size 14MB
  
• Surgeon General's Clinical Practice Guideline: Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, 2008 Update

Tobacco Free Flyers and Posters

• Tips for EOHHS Staff: Talking to Clients and Visitors (Word) 
  
• EOHHS Its Clear - For Consumers (Word) 
  
• EOHHS Its Clear - For Employees (Word) 
  
• Tobacco Use is Prohibited (PDF) 
  
• DMH Tobacco Free Campus (PDF) 
  
• DMH Tobacco Free Campus - Spanish (PDF) 
  
• Link to Executive Office of Health and Human Services website for flyers supporting the Tobacco Free Campus Initiative
  
• The Massachusetts Health Promotion Clearinghouse provides free health promotion materials for Massachusetts residents and health and social service providers in the Commonwealth

Policies and Frequently Asked Questions

• EOHHS Tobacco-Free Campuses FAQ for Employees (Word) 
  
• DMH Tobacco Free Campus Policy (PDF) 
  
• EOHHS Tobacco Free Campus Policy (Word) 

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This information is provided by the Department of Mental Health.