Readiness to stop smoking in schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the motivation and readiness to change of individuals with schizophrenia prior to developing a smoking cessation program.

METHOD

Smoking history, nicotine dependence, readiness to stop smoking, and interest in a smoking cessation group were assessed in 60 schizophrenia outpatients who smoked.

RESULTS

The majority were interested in attending a smoking cessation group and appeared to be appropriately motivated.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking cessation groups for a schizophrenia population may be a worthwhile endeavour. Current measures of motivation and readiness to change may be useful to identify those who are most likely to succeed.