Smokers With Behavioral Health Comorbidity Should Be Designated a Tobacco Use Disparity Group.

Williams JM, Steinberg ML, Griffiths KG, Cooperman N. American Journal of Public Health, published online ahead of print July 18, 2013:e1-e7.

This commentary makes the case that smokers with co-occurring mental illness or substance use disorders fulfill the criteria for "priority populations” for tobacco control, as they are targeted by the tobacco industry, have high smoking prevalence rates, suffer disproportionate economic and health burdens from tobacco, have limited access to treatment, and experience longer durations of smoking with less quitting. The authors claim that the disparity in smoking rates among persons with behavioral health issues relative to the general population will worsen over time if their needs remain unaddressed.