Scientists declared that banning smoking in psychiatric hospitals will make patients, facilities healthier. But almost all mental health nurses do not want smoking banned in psychiatric wards, often because they fear that it would spark aggression from patients. They declared: "Patients use smoking as a de-stressor. Many cannot cope without a frequent cigarette." For example, Georgia health officials have given patients in the state mental hospitals a New Year’s verdict — quit smoking.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has learned that the state intends to prohibit smoking in the seven state mental hospitals on Jan. 5, because researchers found a high percentage of smokers among those with mental illness. But Tom Wilson, spokesman for the state Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, declared that the measure will make the patients and facilities healthier. He also explained that the ban could improve patients’ treatment, helping them to kick the bad smoking habit.

National statistics show that 75 percent of people with mental illness or addictions smoke, and that nearly half of the cigarettes expended in the country are smoked by people with mental illness. And Doctors also explained that people with serious mental illness tend to die 25 years younger than the general public because of their smoking habit.

The new anti-smoking legislation will ban smoking in work places, restaurants and even some mental hospitals in other states. The Georgia ban on the state mental health hospital properties will also refer to staff. Some staff also favored a ban as it meant nurses were no longer exposed to passive smoking. A ban could also improve the ward's therapeutic environment.

Mental health experts charged the knowledge of taking away a coping mechanism from a person already in agitated distress. Athens psychologist Angela Londono-McConnell said: "Someone going into a mental hospital is already facing difficult challenges. Asking them to give up a habit that is hard to break could create extra stress."

Mr. Wilson concluded that patients will be estimated as to their need for tobacco, and they will receive counseling and smoking cessation aids for to help them kick the habit.