Welcome
The Lung Mind Alliance is 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. The Lung Mind Alliance works 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.
Learn more about the work of the Lung Mind Alliance:
Why Address Tobacco Use?
Individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders are disproportionately impacted by the harms of commercial tobacco. Adults with serious mental illness die an average of 25 years earlier than others, and tobacco use is the number one cause of death in people with mental illness.
Seventy-five percent of adults with serious mental illness and substance use disorders want to quit smoking, but only 40 percent of Minnesota’s mental health treatment facilities and 31 percent of substance use disorder treatment programs offer tobacco treatment.
We are working to close this gap by increasing the number of mental health and substance use disorder programs that offer tobacco treatment and that have tobacco-free grounds. By doing so, we can help individuals reach their recovery and wellness goals and add years to their lives.
- People with behavioral health conditions make up only 25 percent of the U.S. adult population, yet consume 40 percent of all cigarettes smoked.
- When tobacco treatment is incorporated into addiction treatment, there is a 25 percent increased likelihood of long-term abstinence from alcohol and other drugs.
- When people quit tobacco, their mental health improves, including significant decreases in anxiety, depression and stress.
National Behavioral Health and Tobacco Use Rates
Learn more about behavioral health and tobacco use rates nation wide.
If you have questions about the Lung Mind Alliance, contact contact Reba at 701-354-9719 or [email protected]
Page last updated: December 19, 2023
