The Critical Relationship Between Mental Health and Commercial Tobacco

In the realm of movies and TV shows, commercial tobacco use is frequently depicted as a coping mechanism for characters facing stress or emotional turmoil. Through visual cues, behavioral patterns, and dialogue, smoking is often portrayed as a quick fix for anxiety and tension. However, this glamorized portrayal masks a deeper, more troubling reality: the link between mental health issues and commercial tobacco use. While characters may appear to find solace in a cigarette, the underlying message wrongly suggests that smoking is a viable solution for managing stress. In real life, use of commercial tobacco can lead to addiction, and exacerbate mental health problems. This dual narrative highlights the need for a more honest representation of commercial tobacco use and its impact on mental well-being.

In 2018, Truth Initiative started doing an annual analysis of tobacco imagery in popular entertainment. In 2022, popular streaming shows increased the number of tobacco depictions by 110%, which is more than double compared to 2021, exposing nearly 25 million young people to tobacco imagery. Peer-reviewed research from Truth Initiative demonstrates that exposure to smoking imagery in streaming shows can triple a person’s odds of starting to use commercial tobacco.

The relationship between commercial tobacco use and mental health is a complex and often overlooked issue. People with mental illness are twice as likely to use tobacco and, at the same time, tobacco makes people more vulnerable to mental health concerns. Around 35% of people who smoke cigarettes have a mental health condition and account for 38% of all U.S adult cigarette consumption. On top of that, people with mental health conditions are 2-3 times more likely to use commercial tobacco as a form of self-medication, seeking temporary relief from their symptoms. However, this short-term solution can lead to long-term harm, creating a never-ending cycle that exacerbates both tobacco and/or nicotine dependence and mental health issues.

“People with mental health struggles smoke at much higher rates, contributing to high disparity impact of commercial tobacco, such as earlier death, on these individuals. said Reba Mathern-Jacobson, Senior Manager in Advocacy at the American Lung Association in MN, and Lung Mind Alliance Project Manager.” We are working toward integration of tobacco treatment and recovery into mental health and substance use treatment settings across the state of Minnesota. More professionals in these programs are realizing it is a powerful way they can support their patients and clients into full, long-term recovery.”

Research shows that when people stop using commercial tobacco, their levels of anxiety, depression and stress actually decrease, while quality of life and positive mood improve. In a systemic review of meta-analysis of studies, the benefit of stopping smoking was equal or more effective than antidepressant medication for mood and anxiety disorders. This is why the Lung Mind Alliance, a statewide coalition with the goal of reducing disparities related to the impact of commercial tobacco on people with mental illness and/or substance use disorders (SUD), is working collaboratively to: identify and disseminate promising practices for commercial tobacco treatment for individuals with mental illness and/or SUD; increase reimbursement for tobacco treatment in mental health and SUD treatment facilities; build momentum toward tobacco-free grounds policies; and change social norms around tobacco use by individuals with mental illness and/or SUD.

The media will continue to portray commercial tobacco use in movies and TV shows as a coping mechanism for stress and emotional turmoil, but they are creating a dangerous simplification of a complex issue. While these depictions may offer a temporary sense of relief for characters, they fail to address the long-term consequences of tobacco use on mental health. The reality is that commercial tobacco can exacerbate mental health challenges, leading to a vicious cycle of dependence and deteriorating well-being.

Efforts like those of the Lung Mind Alliance are crucial in changing the narrative around commercial tobacco use and its impact on mental health. By promoting effective treatment practices, advocating for tobacco-free policies, and shifting social norms, we can help people with mental health and substance use challenges find healthier ways to manage their symptoms. Ultimately, less and more honest representation of tobacco use in media, coupled with comprehensive support systems, can pave the way for improved mental health outcomes and a reduction in tobacco-related inequities.

To learn more about efforts to promote tobacco recovery and create tobacco-free substance abuse and mental health treatment, sign up for the LMA newsletter or visit LungMindAlliance.org  .

* Commercial tobacco refers specifically to the use of manufactured tobacco products, and not to the sacred, medicinal, and traditional use of tobacco by Indigenous peoples.