The effects of prohibiting cigarette smoking on the behavior of patients
on a 25-bed psychiatric inpatient unit were assessed immediately after
implementation of a smoking ban and two years later. No major behavioral
disruptions were observed after the ban. The number of calls for security
assistance, physical assaults, instances of leather restraints and of
seclusions, and discharges against medical advice did not increase
significantly immediately after the restriction on smoking or two years
later. Significantly more verbal assaults and prescribing of p.r.n.
medications for anxiety occurred immediately after the ban but not two
years later.
Abstract Teaser