A study of mental health services in Adelaide, South Australia assessed mental health workers’ responses and attitudes to addressing tobacco use with patients. Though a majority of participants felt that tobacco cessation was an important issue to discuss with clients, only 26% said they actually raised the issue with their patients. Because mental health workers are uniquely placed to assist patients to quit or reduce tobacco use, it is important to provide these workers with the resources and knowledge necessary to talk to patients about tobacco cessation.
