LAUSR

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of tobacco use and overall smoking behaviors within a sample of individuals with a serious mental illness who were homeless or vulnerably housed and receiving community mental health services. Methods: In 2010, individuals (N = 639) were interviewed, and identified smokers completed the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and additional questions related to their smoking behaviors. Results: Tobacco use prevalence was 72%, and 62% of smokers had high or very high levels of nicotine dependence. Smoking behaviors included smoking contraband cigarettes (47%) and smoking cigarettes remade from discarded cigarette butts (25%). Smokers were found to be over 9 times as likely to have a co-occurring substance use disorder. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: Significant tobacco prevalence and dependency in this population highlights the need to provide integrated treatment opportunities.