Introduction:

The opinions and perceptions about smoking in the psychiatric population contribute to the fact that its prevalence in this population remains two or three times higher than that found in other groups.

Aims:

1) To compare the opinions of the psychiatric population and general population regarding the smoking ban in mental health services, as well as their perception of mental health professionals' attitudes in relation to smoking; 2) To identify the association between personal and clinical variables with opinions and perception of attitudes.

Methods:

This Brazilian cross-sectional epidemiological study took place in: Mental Health Outpatient Unit (n=126), Psychiatric Hospital (n=126) and Primary Health Unit (n=126). Individual interviews were performed using a questionnaire.

Results:

Most participants believe that smoking ban may aggravate psychiatric symptoms. When comparing the responses of the psychiatric population with those of the general population, it is observed that the two groups have similar opinions regarding the effects of tobacco on psychiatric symptoms and behaviors. The population hospitalized in the psychiatric hospital was the one that most agreed with the perception of the attitudes of professionals working in mental health services towards smoking, possibly due to situations experienced in the psychiatric hospital. Among the personal and clinical variables, the illiterate or those who studied up to primary/junior high school were the ones who most agreed that the smoking ban aggravates psychiatric symptoms.

Conclusions:

This study contribute to the practice of psychiatric nursing by disclosing the opinions and perceptions of attitudes associated with smoking in mental health services.

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