Tobacco-Free Behavioral Health 

Change for Life is our vision. Tobacco-Free Recovery is our mission.

Historically individuals with mental health or substance use disorders have been targeted by the tobacco industry and have had limited access to tobacco treatment and other proven tobacco reduction strategies, resulting in deep-rooted tobacco disparities. The Change for Life initiative aims to change this narrative. 

Research shows that integrating tobacco-use treatment into behavioral health programs can boost chances of long-term recovery and improve mental health while dramatically reducing health risks and chronic disease. Tobacco-free campuses are also healthier for employees and visitors.

Change for Life: Tobacco-Free Recovery empowers behavioral health organizations to:

• Adopt and implement tobacco-free campus policies.
  
• Integrate best practice tobacco treatment into ongoing services.
• Employ shared messaging that supports a positive tobacco-free culture of care for clients and staff. 

Helping patients quit and remain abstinent from smoking can result in a 25% increased likelihood of sustained recovery from the use of alcohol and other drugs. -- Prochaska et al, 2004