Men’s Health Week: Supporting smoke-free mental health
This week is Men’s Health Week. In the UK, men face disproportionately poorer health outcomes, contributing to a four-year life expectancy gap compared to women (79 vs 83 years) (ONS, 2024).
Men experience higher rates of cardiovascular disease, with nearly double the prevalence of coronary heart disease, and are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. Men also face greater risk of cancer diagnosis, with lung cancer alone accounting for 21% of male cancer deaths.
These disparities are often linked to factors such as smoking – 13.7% of men smoke compared to 10.1% of women (ASH, 2024). Research shows that men are less inclined to seek medical help for both physical and mental health concerns, including being less likely to access smoking cessation services.
Underlying these trends are societal pressures rooted in traditional masculinity, which often discourage men from expressing health concerns and seeking help due to fears of judgment and embarrassment.
Individuals who quit smoking benefit from both physical and mental health advantages. Physically, it immediately reduces the risk of heart attack, enhances lung function, and substantially lowers the long-term risk of cancer, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, studies have shown that quitting smoking also leads to a reduction in anxiety, depression, and stress.
South London and Maudsley NHS Trust has over 30 male inpatient wards where individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) may not have had opportunities to address their tobacco dependence. Patients with SMI are also less likely to seek support for health improvement independently, thereby exacerbating the gender disparity in health outcomes they already face.
Our team of Tobacco Dependence Advisors (TDAs) not only assist patients with specialist one to one support, they also facilitate group sessions, smoke free walking groups and encourage involvement with peer support networks – allowing a safe space for our smokers who identify as male to share their experiences, concerns and achievements.
If you work for the Trust or care for a patient at the Trust and would like advice or support, please email us at smokefreeready@slam.nhs.uk
To find your local, free stop smoking service, visit https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/ready-to-quit-smoking/find-your-local-stop-smoking-service/ or download the NHS Quit Smoking app.
