Smoking is the leading cause of preventable
death in the world. Studies have shown that the
frequency of its use in schizophrenic patients is
significantly higher than in the general population, or in
other psychiatric disorders, which hinders both
treatment strategies and the efficacy of antipsychotics.
Various hypotheses have been proposed to explain
the high level of tobacco dependence in schizophrenic
patients, which it seems important to address. However,
caregivers working in psychiatric wards reportedly
trivialize smoking in schizophrenic patients and resist
the implementation of specific care, although treatments
are available in most institutions.
In order to have an overview of the situation of
psychiatric services concerning tobacco, we carried out
the survey "smoking and psychiatry" in the form of a
questionnaire addressed to professionals working in
Moroccan psychiatric services.
It emerged that the caregivers, although concerned
by this smoking problem, do not make it their priority.
Nevertheless, it was found́ that the presence of
addictologists/tacologists would positively influence the
attitude of caregivers regarding the management of
smoking in patients with psychiatric conditions,
especially with the provision of nicotine substitutes.
Providing training in addictology/tobacco would
encourage caregivers to better manage patients with
psychiatric conditions who smoke.