Study Shows Decrease in Smoking Among Adults with Depression and Substance Use Disorders

Nov.25.2022
Study Shows Decrease in Smoking Among Adults with Depression and Substance Use Disorders
Study shows smoking rates among US adults with depression or substance use disorder have decreased, but more work needs to be done to ensure their tobacco use continues to decline.

A study entitled "Smoking trends among US adults with severe depression or substance use disorders from 2006 to 2019" is reassuring for public health experts who have long been concerned about the high smoking rates among people with mental health disorders.


Furthermore, these individuals are more likely to find it difficult to quit smoking. Therefore, they benefit greatly from additional support in quitting smoking and obtaining safer alternatives, which at least reduces their chances of developing smoking-related diseases.


A study by researchers from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), both under the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States, suggests that this population may benefit from tobacco use prevention and cessation efforts, which have resulted in significant reductions in smoking rates among the general population.


However, researchers emphasized that disparities still exist and need to be addressed. "These declines represent a public health success story," said Wilson Compton, MD, NIDA deputy director and senior author of the study. "But there is much work to be done to ensure that tobacco use continues to decline, particularly among those with substance use disorders, depression or other mental illnesses. It is critical that healthcare providers promptly address all health issues that patients experience, not just their depression or substance use disorder. This requires integrating smoking cessation therapy into existing behavioral health therapies. The result will be longer, healthier lives for everyone.


Individuals with mental health disorders are being excluded from research. A recent study titled "The inequity of clinical trials testing smoking cessation medication: excluding smokers with mental health disorders" sought to examine the practice and reasoning behind excluding smokers with mental health disorders from such trials.


A research team analyzed the Cochrane systematic review database up to September 2020 to obtain evaluations on the use of drug therapy for smoking cessation. "We included 279 randomized controlled trials from 13 Cochrane reviews. Across all studies, 51 (18.3%) explicitly excluded participants with any mental health disorder (MHD), 152 (54.5%) conditionally excluded based on certain MHD criteria, and 76 (27.2%) did not provide sufficient information to determine inclusion or exclusion. The study found that, compared to studies on nicotine replacement therapy, research on antidepressant drugs for smoking cessation was 3.33 times more likely to conditionally exclude MHD smokers (95% CI 1.38 to 8.01, p=0.007)," the researchers reported.


In fact, their conclusion was that there wasn't enough representation of smokers with MHD (Mental Health Disorders) in clinical trials examining the safety and effectiveness of smoking cessation drugs, but there wasn't enough data collected to explain why. The study emphasized the importance of promoting the participation of this minority group in trials.


Announcement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended only for industry exchange and learning purposes.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS is not able to confirm the authenticity and accuracy of the article's content. The compilation of this article is solely for the purpose of industry-related communication and research.


Due to limitations in our translation ability, this article may not express the same meaning as the original. Therefore, please refer to the original article for accurate information.


2FIRSTS fully aligns with the Chinese government on any domestic, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and foreign-related discussions and positions.


The copyright for the compiled information belongs to the original media and authors. If there is any infringement, please contact us for removal.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Australian Coalition Taskforce Calls for 80% Tobacco Tax Cut to Combat Illicit Market
Australian Coalition Taskforce Calls for 80% Tobacco Tax Cut to Combat Illicit Market
According to SGST on August 26, 2026, Australia’s Coalition Illegal Tobacco Taskforce released a report recommending an up to 80% cut in tobacco excise to reduce the appeal of the illicit tobacco market. The report claimed organised crime groups now control about 80% of Australia’s tobacco market and argued that high excise rates have widened the price gap between legal and illegal products. The recommendation remains a policy proposal and has not been adopted by the Australian government, which said its focus remains on enforcement, compliance and additional resources.
Aug.27
Altria’s USSTC Starts $250 Million Kentucky Expansion, Adding More Than 200 Jobs
Altria’s USSTC Starts $250 Million Kentucky Expansion, Adding More Than 200 Jobs
U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, an Altria Group company, has broken ground on an approximately $250 million manufacturing expansion in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The roughly 270,000-square-foot facility is expected to create more than 200 jobs and absorb processing, manufacturing and packaging operations currently split between Hopkinsville and Nashville, Tennessee. USSTC previously said production at its Nashville facility is expected to wind down by early 2028. The project forms part of Altria’s broader effort to modernize and consolidate its U.S. smokeless tobacco manufacturing network.
Sep.10
Philippines BIR Steps Up Illicit Vape Enforcement Ahead of Christmas Shopping
Philippines BIR Steps Up Illicit Vape Enforcement Ahead of Christmas Shopping
The Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue is intensifying enforcement against illicit vape and tobacco products ahead of the Christmas shopping season, directing regional and enforcement offices to strengthen monitoring of production sites, warehouses, distribution channels and retail outlets. The BIR destroyed 240,550 illicit vape products in August with an estimated tax liability of about PHP1.53 billion. A nationwide tax-compliance operation in July also inspected 3,590 businesses involved in tobacco and vapor products.
Regulations
Sep.17 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Arizona Turns to a 50% Retail Vape Tax as Tobacco Tax Revenue Falls 47% From 2008
Arizona Turns to a 50% Retail Vape Tax as Tobacco Tax Revenue Falls 47% From 2008
Arizona's First Things First is pushing for an excise tax equal to 50% of the retail price of vaping products, estimating that the measure could generate about $100 million annually. The agency says its tobacco-tax revenue has fallen 47% from 2008 levels. Arizona has attempted to broaden its nicotine tax base in each of the past two years: a 2025 bill proposed a 50% wholesale-price tax, while a 2026 measure shifted to a 50% retail-price tax covering alternative nicotine products and vapor products. Separately, the state enacted HB 4001 this year to establish a new licensing and sales framework for alternative nicotine products.
Sep.21
German Customs Seize 115,800 Vapes in €1.4 Million Tax Case
German Customs Seize 115,800 Vapes in €1.4 Million Tax Case
Germany's Magdeburg Main Customs Office seized 115,800 untaxed e-cigarettes containing a combined 4.366 million mL of e-liquid during four truck inspections between August 10 and September 4, 2026. The seizures prevented an estimated €1.397 million in tax losses and set a record for the customs office's jurisdiction. Criminal proceedings have been initiated against four truck drivers. The case follows a separate German investigation involving more than 7.6 million illicit vapes and an estimated €33.3 million in excise-tax losses.
Enforcement
Oct.13
U.S. Military Could Test Nicotine Pouches and Vapes for Smoking Cessation as Washington Examiner Cites ZYN and Potential $4 Billion Reduction in Related Defense Costs
U.S. Military Could Test Nicotine Pouches and Vapes for Smoking Cessation as Washington Examiner Cites ZYN and Potential $4 Billion Reduction in Related Defense Costs
The House-passed FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision authorizing the defense secretary to conduct a one-year smoking-cessation pilot for active-duty service members. Section 707 lists counseling, nicotine gum and patches alongside what the bill calls "electric nicotine delivery systems," nicotine pouches and heat-not-burn products. A recent Washington Examiner op-ed cited ZYN as an example in arguing for the provision, but the legislation does not name any commercial brand or supplier. ZYN is made by PMI-owned Swedish Match USA, with specified products holding FDA marketing authorizations and modified risk orders.
Sep.20