World Mental Health Day: Integrating Mental Health Support with Tobacco Harm Reduction

World Mental Health Day, observed on 10 October every year, provides an opportunity to draw attention to Africa’s large and growing burden of mental health issues and promote initiatives for mental well-being. The interconnectedness between mental health and cigarette smoking has come to the forefront of public health discussions in recent years. 

Mental health conditions and smoking are closely linked, with a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations. Smoking rates among people with mental health conditions are significantly higher than in the general population.

Smart cessation strategies

Too often, access to treatment is limited for both mental health conditions and cigarette smoking, especially in Africa, further compounding the problem. According to the WHO, 70% of people who smoke lack access to comprehensive tobacco cessation services.

Recognising the link between mental health conditions and smoking creates an opportunity for integrated, multisectoral approaches to address these two global human development issues of significant socioeconomic ramifications.

To combat this underattended, multiple health issues, public health experts must cross specialities and connect traditional tobacco control and harm reduction interventions with treatment for mental health. Advocates for tobacco control, harm reduction, and mental health will need to work together to lobby for broadly protective policies, such as more aggressive advocacy for less harmful nicotine products. These efforts could ease compounding health burdens for millions in Africa and lessen the costs associated with their care.