Skip directly to site content Skip directly to search


Español  Other Languages


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
 Search

		Submit


*Tips From Former Smokers* ®


Section Navigation
			
			CDC Home








People With Mental Health Conditions						Español (Spanish)							Print
																Related Pages
										Know the FactsSmoking is much more common among adults with mental health conditions than those without mental health conditions*.*In fact, in 2020, 23.1% of U.S. adults with any mental illness reported smoking cigarettes during the past month compared to 14.5% of adults with no mental illness.*,†
Approximately 1 in 4 (or 25%) of adults in the U.S. have some form of mental illness or substance use disorder, and these adults consume almost 40% of all cigarettes smoked by adults.*Several factors connect commercial tobacco with higher levels of disease, disability, and death in different population groups. Learn more about health disparities related to commercial tobacco use that affect people with behavioral health conditions (mental health and substance use disorders).
Learn what percent of people currently smokes cigarettes, both in the United States overall and among specific population groups.Real Stories: People Featured in *Tips*®
Rebecca M.**Meet Rebecca M.** Rebecca, age 57, an avid runner, lives in Florida. She is a single mom and grandparent who was diagnosed with depression at age 33. Rebecca quit smoking at age 52.
Learn more about all of the *Tips* participants in our Real Stories section.Quitting HelpPeople with mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety, face challenges in quitting smoking and may benefit from extra help to succeed. With the right support, you can quit smoking without worsening your mental health condition. In fact, studies show that quitting smoking can be good for your mental health.
When you quit smoking, your body and brain have to get used to not having nicotine. This can cause symptoms of nicotine withdrawal for a short time. For some people, nicotine withdrawal may include feelings of irritability, anxiety, or depression. These feelings can be managed by being active, connecting with other people, and staying busy. The good news is, once people have been smoke-free for a few months, their anxiety and depression levels are often lower than when they were smoking.
If you have feelings of depression or anxiety lasting for more than two weeks, or if the feelings feel unmanageable or get worse, you should get help. Talk to your doctor and seek appropriate emergency help.
Sometimes people who are feeling depressed think about hurting themselves or dying. **If you or someone you know is having these feelings, get help now.**
**Call or text**the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
**Call**911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department for emergency medical treatment.
**Don’t**be alone. **Don’t**leave another person alone if they are in crisis.On This Page
			Know the FactsReal Stories: People Featured in *Tips*®Quitting HelpQuit Smoking MedicinesReferences
		
RebeccaRebecca M., age 57, struggled with depression and smoked cigarettes to help her cope with her feelings. The more Rebecca smoked, the harder she felt it was to quit. Rebecca finally quit smoking for good after getting care for her depression. She now leads a smokefree life.
*“I quit smoking and I got care for my depression.”*Free Quitting ResourcesTelephone
1-800-QUIT-NOW
1-855-DÉJELO-YA (Español)
1-800-838-8917 (中文)
1-800-556-5564 (한국어)
1-800-778-8440 (Tiếng Việt)
Smartphone Apps/Text
Text QUITNOW to 333888—Message and data rates may apply
quitSTART appexternal iconWeb
Quit Smoking (En Español)
Smokefree.govexternal icon (En Español)
Asian Smokers’ Quitlineexternal iconFree Quitting ResourcesWeb
Quit Smoking (En Español)
Smokefree.govexternal icon (En Español)Smartphone Apps/Text
Text QUITNOW to 333888—Message and data rates may apply
quitSTART appexternal icon—tips, information, and challenges to help you quitTelephone
1-800-QUIT-NOW
1-855-DÉJELO-YA (Español)
Asian Smokers’ Quitlineexternal icon
1-800-838-8917 (中文)
1-800-556-5564 (한국어)
1-800-778-8440 (Tiếng Việt)
Free Quitting ResourcesTelephone
1-800-QUIT-NOW
1-855-DÉJELO-YA (Español)
1-800-838-8917 (中文)
1-800-556-5564 (한국어)
1-800-778-8440 (Tiếng Việt)Smartphone Apps/Text
Text QUITNOW to 333888—Message and data rates may apply
quitSTART appexternal iconWeb
Quit Smoking (En Español)
Smokefree.govexternal icon (En Español)
Asian Smokers’ Quitlineexternal icon
Quit Smoking MedicinesThere are 7 quit-smoking medicines approved by the FDA. Explore ways to get free or reduced cost quit-smoking medicines from your health insurance, health plan, or other sources.
Real Stories: People Featured in *Tips*®
	RebeccaRebecca M., age 57, struggled with depression and smoked cigarettes to help her cope with her feelings. The more Rebecca smoked, the harder she felt it was to quit. Rebecca finally quit smoking for good after getting care for her depression. She now leads a smokefree life.*“I quit smoking and I got care for my depression.”*
Learn more about all *Tips*® participants in our Real Stories section.

References* Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. PEP21-07-01-003, NSDUH Series H-56), p.A-48. Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
† Lipari R, Van Horn S. Smoking and Mental Illness Among Adults in the United States. The CBHSQ Report: March 30, 2017. Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Top of Page
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  February 5, 2024						Source: 	Office on Smoking and Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
					Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate home*Tips From Former Smokers* ®
About the Campaignplus icon
Frequently Asked Questions
*Tips* Impact and Resultsplus icon
Publications and Evaluation Results
Burden of Cigarette Use in the U.S.
How to Quit Smokingplus icon
5 Ways Quitlines Helpplus icon
Top 10 Qs about Quitlines
National Texting Portal
quitSTART App
7 Common Withdrawal Symptoms
Tips For Quitting
Learn About Quit Smoking Medicinesplus icon
Three Reasons to Use Medicines When You Quitplus icon
They make quitting less painful
Quit smoking medicines are much safer than smoking
They help you get through the toughest times
How Quit Smoking Medicines Work
Quit Smoking Medicinesplus icon
Nicotine Patch
Nicotine Lozenge
Nicotine Gum
Nicotine Oral Inhaler
Nicotine Nasal Spray
Combining Medicines
Varenicline
Bupropion SR
Getting Coaching with Medicine
Quitting without Medicine
Five New Ways to Quit with Medicines
Six Quick Tipsplus icon
Medicine Tips Just for You
Why Quitting Smoking Is Hard
Quitting Storiesplus icon
Betty’s Story
Daniel’s Story
Select-Lot Varenicline Recall
Real Stories
Diseases/Conditions Featured in the Campaignplus icon
Asthma
Buerger’s Disease
Cancer
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Diabetes
Dual Use of Tobacco Products
Gum (Periodontal) Disease
Smoking and Heart Disease, Stroke and Peripheral Artery Disease
HIV
Mental Health Conditions: Depression and Anxiety
Pregnancy
Vision Loss and Blindness
For Specific Groupsplus icon
All Groups (General Public)
People With Disabilities
African American People
American Indian and Alaska Native People
Asian American People
Caregivers
Hispanic and Latino People
People Living with HIV
LGBTQ+ People
Military Service Members and Veterans
People With Mental Health Conditions
Pregnant or Planning to Have a Baby
Partnersplus icon
Faith-Based Organizations
Organizations Serving Military Members and Veteransplus icon
Media Outreach Toolkit
Organizations Serving Public Housing Residents
Campaign Resourcesplus icon
Social Media Content
Videos
Feature
Images and Photos
Print Ads
Motivational Cards
Newsroomplus icon
Matte Articlesplus icon
*Tips* Campaign for the General Public
*Tips* Campaign for African American Communities
*Tips* Campaign for American Indian / Alaska Native Communities
*Tips* Campaign for Asian American Communities
*Tips* Campaign for Faith Communities
*Tips* Campaign for Hispanic/Latino Communities
*Tips* Campaign for LGBTQ+ Community
*Tips* Campaign for People With Mental Health Conditions
*Tips* Campaign for Military Members/Veterans To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: Email Address                        
What's this                                     
Submit
 Smoking & Tobacco Use
Smokefree.govexternal icon
National Cancer Instituteexternal icon


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue