Staff attitudes to smoking in an Irish mental health service

Stubbs et al (Psychiatric Bulletin, June 2004, 28, 204–207) found that the majority of mental health staff in an inpatient setting did not favour a total ban on smoking. In the context of the ban on smoking in enclosed workplaces introduced in the Republic of Ireland in March 2004 [Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004], the smoking policy committee of our mental health service in the Northwest of Ireland conducted a survey seeking the views of, among others, staff (n=174, 28% smokers) prior to its introduction. The legislation exempts patients (but not staff or visitors) in psychiatric hospitals. Of the respondents, 89% were in favour of the ban being implemented throughout our mental health service despite 78% believing that this would prove difficult or very difficult. Support for the ban among smokers was less (77%), although still quite high.

The Irish legislation has provoked much debate in Ireland and elsewhere since its introduction and public support has been remarkably high with 82% of Irish people still in favour five months after its implementation (Irish Department of Health, http;//www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/08/66/57/04086657.pdf August 2004). Our findings appear to reflect the overall attitude of the Irish people toward the smoking ban in public places rather than those of the mental health staff surveyed by Stubbs et al. As this important public health debate develops in the UK, it is incumbent upon mental health professionals to add their voice, particularly in relation to the issue of whether to exempt mental health facilities from any proposed smoking legislation.