A case for identifying smoking in presentations to the emergency department with suicidality.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify mental health and lifestyle factors predicting smoking among people at high risk of suicidal behaviour. Participants ( n = 363) completed self-report mental health and lifestyle measures at first appointment in a hospital clinic following presentation to the emergency department for deliberate self-harm or suicidal ideation. The rate of daily smoking in this group, 61.4%, is more than four times the rate observed in the general population. Those with a history of previous deliberate self-harm were twice as likely to be smokers. Each one-point increase in poor health behaviours increased the odds of smoking by 22%. Identifying and managing smoking and related lifestyle behaviours are important considerations in routine clinical assessments.