Perceptions of anti-smoking public health campaigns among people with psychotic disorders

Background: Among marginalised populations, such as people with psychotic disorders, smoking prevalence rates remain much higher than in the general population. Anti-smoking campaigns conducted in Australia have been found to be associated with change in smoking behaviour and attitudes in the general population. However, no previous research has examined the effectiveness of these campaigns among people with mental disorders, like psychotic disorders. Aims: This study aimed to gain an understanding of how people with psychotic disorders perceive anti-smoking campaigns by examining knowledge of tobacco, exposure, acceptability and attitudes regarding anti-smoking campaigns. Method: A mixed method design was employed in which both quantitative and qualitative data were elicited. Eighty-nine participants with a diagnosed psychotic disorder completed a self-report assessment battery; eight of whom also completed semi-structured telephone interviews which were then analysed via interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: Participants reported high exposure to anti-smoking campaigns and good knowledge regarding tobacco. They explained that even though they remembered, understood and were even scared by anti-smoking campaigns, these campaigns had little impact on their smoking. Participants also described a number of positive mental health effects of smoking. Conclusion: This study suggests that anti-smoking campaigns are not impacting upon smokers with psychotic disorders, despite on smokers with high exposure and good knowledge of tobacco. In order to be more effective in the future, campaigns may need to specifically target marginalised populations, including people with psychotic disorders, and address barriers to cessation among this population