Petition against compulsory cessation of smoking for patients confined involuntarily in psychiatric wards and services in Victoria

  • Author:
    n/a
  • Send To:
    Victoria (Australia) Mental Health Services
  • Sponsored By:
    Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council
  • More Info at:
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We believe that total bans on smoking in psychiatric wards and rehabilitation units, (even in a supervised area which is safe and free from secondary passive smoke inhalation) are unjust, discriminatory and inappropriate.

We understand that smoking is unhealthy, and many of us who smoke have tried to give up and may try again when the time is right for us.

However we believe that during an active psychiatric illness is NOT the right time, as it may lead to further distress and agitation. It may also discourage people from seeking help from a psychiatric service if they know the price having to stop smoking, leading to increased illness.

We believe that while tobacco is legal, consumers of mental health services should have the same right to smoke in the place of their residence as other Australians, even Australians in prison.

Many consumers are required against their will to stay in psychiatric wards and units, unlike patients in non-psychiatric wards, sometimes for months and years, and many of these consumers are not allowed to leave the ward freely, meaning that consumers cannot smoke at home or anywhere.

Being forced to stop smoking against your will is cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment in our opinion, for people already under stress, as well as being ineffective in encouraging permanent quitting. Many well staff and managers find stopping smoking too difficult.

We ask for immediate application of the exemptions available under the law for psychiatric inpatient and rehabilitation services, to allow smoking in a safe environment which protects the health of non-smokers; so that consumers of psychiatric services can have the same rights as other Australians.

204 Signatures

  • Anonymous
    • Comments
    • I oppose yet another right being stripped from the detainees, but I also abhor the sickening demeaning use of the word 'consumer' by VMIAC to describe people who are detained without due process and forcibly drugged. Whoever wrote this petition's wording is no advocate for me and doesn't speak for me. It is telling to see the so called nurses on here complain that this ban might lead to assaults against them. I would say every forced injection is an atrocious human rights assault of the most intimate part of a nonconsenting human being's body, their brain. I don't support VMIAC or the smoking ban. And above ALL, I reject the false advocacy of the 'workers' who with one hand stab us with unwanted needles, and the other hand claim to respect our right to smoke. Any signature on a petition calling for our rights to be protected, that was written with the same hand that perpetrates institutionalised violence against us, is a meaningless empty gesture worthy of contempt. Get your hands off us.
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Survivor of forced psychiatry and someone who could never live with myself if I made my living forcing it on others. VMIAC is bought and paid for by the same government that tortures us and denies us human rights, and grants immunity to those who earn a living carrying out forced drugging. Is this online survery what my tax dollars buy?
  • mandy b
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • mental health worker/consumer
  • Fiona R
    • Comments
    • unnecessary, petty and cruel
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Caregiver
  • Gabriela
    • Comments
    • Taking the only activity that people suffering from psychosis have the capacity to undertake is not the answer and could escalates people's anxieties and prolong there hospital stays as well as impacting on staff's ability to do their job.
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Yes, consumer, now peer support worker and did smoke in wards, because I was too psychotic to engage in anything else
  • Damien C
    • Comments
    • When someone is acutely mentally unwell, this is NOT the time to enforce giving up smoking
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Mental health worker
  • Julie
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Mental Health worker
  • Lesley F
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Carer
  • Louise E
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
  • Carol D
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • MH worker
  • Sharon C
    • Comments
    • Taking away more liberties from people confidened to a psyche ward is criminal
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Yes
  • Danielle F
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
  • Anthony R
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Former consumer, current mental health worker
  • Jennifer B
    • Comments
    • Being unable to smoke would heighten anxiety and stress extremely in someone who is mentally unwell
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • mental health support worker
  • Rebecca R
    • Comments
    • My husband was kept in hospital longer then necessary because he was overly agressive about wanting a smoke. This was thought of as some level of non-compliance and threatening behaviour. The ban itself makes very little sense anyway, as nicotene inhalers are handed to the patients continuing the dependence. If the ban is an attempt to encourage people to quit, it is an absolute joke. I'd like to see evidence to gauge it's success rate. I would think it was certain not one person has ever quit smoking upon discharge. If anything people would smoke double time once they're released just to feel free.
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Family
  • Christine D
    • Comments
    • Smoking and mental illness is a form of dual diagnosis and both need to be treated concurrently
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Mental Health Worker and reformed smoker
  • Christine C
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • past consumer, present health worker
  • dianne h
    • Comments
    • i am a carer and this ban on smoking in psych hospitals has led to me keeping my son out of hospital even when he really needs to be there. this is dangerous i know but i can't stand him having to be without his cigarettes when he needs them most.
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • carer
  • Bernadette W
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Mental Health Worker and Consumer
  • Peggy Lea S
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
  • Emily
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Doctor
  • Karena Dalla R
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • mental health worker
  • Cath S
    • Comments
    • smoking is legal for people over the age of 18 and is allowed in pallitive care units. people with a mental illness rely on things that calm them and smoking can do this
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • consumer
  • Jackie M
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Mental health worker
  • Andrew L
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Consumer
  • Emilio F
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • mental health worker
  • Angela R
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Consumer who has had admissions to Inpatient Unit
  • Johnny M
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Mental Health Worker/writer/trainer
  • Diane H
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Mental Health worker
  • Lorna W
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Ex smoker who quit when it was right for me, not because I was forced to.
  • Paul H
    • Comments
    • from personal experience this is not a good time to be trying to give up smoking. Why is it a problem to smoke in a seperate area of a courtyard.
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Peer support worker
  • Lee T
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • mental health worker and consumer
  • Sandra G
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • mental health worker
  • Katie M
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Mental Health Worker/ Consumer
  • Thea B
    • Comments
    • What are they thinking!!
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Carer
  • Linda H
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Mental health Worker
  • Robyn L
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • mental health worker
  • Jane D
    • Comments
    • Forcing individuals to give up a powerful habit at a time when they have lost many abilities is cruel and opportunistic.
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Past consumer, consumer worker & member of the public
  • Glenn
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Yes
  • Erin F
  • kelly r
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • mental health worker
  • Susanna M
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Worker
  • J R B
    • Comments
    • I fully support this petition.
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Disability Needs Assessor
  • Rachel T
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Registered Psychiatric Nurse
  • lorraine s
    • Comments
    • ridiculous abuse of power
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • mental health practitioner
  • kristen c
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • yes
  • Chris S
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
  • Leigh D
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
  • Alexa Minnie J
  • Sherie S
    • Comments
    • How many human rights can you take from a person, especially those who are doing it so tough and have to play by so many rules just to be recognized? This is just plain ridiculous.
  • Sarah
    • (Optional) Are you a smoker currently
    • No
    • (Optional) Are you a consumer, mentaL health worker, carer, member of the public
    • Mental Health Worker