Tobacco dependence management in a smoke-free inpatient drug and alcohol unit

Objective: Various smoke-free policies and practices (carbon monoxide monitoring, nicotine replacement therapy, pharmacotherapy, behavioural interventions) have been introduced to manage tobacco dependence in inpatient drug and alcohol facilities. Since the introduction of a smoke-free policy to our inpatient drug and alcohol facility, there has been no objective evaluation of its practices or patients’ views. Methods: We administered a questionnaire to 42 inpatients identified as smokers. A retrospective record review was performed on those patients for demographic data, substance use, psychiatric conditions and tobacco dependence assessment and management. Descriptive analyses and tests of association were conducted. Open-ended questions were subjected to content analysis. Results: Tobacco dependence assessment was mostly completed with daily cigarette consumption documented for 41 (98%), time to first cigarette for 39 (93%) and CO monitoring performed for 42 (100%) patients. Patients’ views of the various management strategies were positive, although many were underutilised. Those with high tobacco dependence were more likely to approve of nicotine replacement therapy patches than those with low tobacco dependence (p = 0.009). Conclusion: The results demonstrate that while the various interventions provided were reported to be helpful, many were underutilised. Future research could consider why certain strategies were not utilised and help improve uptake.