Smoking among adults reporting lifetime depression, anxiety, anxiety with depression, and major depressive episode, United States, 2005–2006

ObjectivesTo describe rates of current smoking among persons with and without lifetime anxiety, depression, anxiety with depression, or major depressive episode.MethodsData on 73 024 adult respondents from the 2005–2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health were used to examine smoking status, intensity, frequency, dependence, and quit rates among persons with and without self-reported lifetime history of depression, anxiety, anxiety with depression, or major depressive episode (LDAMDE).ResultsOf persons with LDAMDE, 33% were current smokers, while 22.5% of persons who did not report LDAMDE were current smokers. Persons with LDAMDE were heavier and more frequent smokers and had lower quit rates and higher dependence compared to persons with no LDAMDE.ConclusionsCompared to persons with no LDAMDE, persons with LDAMDE are more likely to be current smokers, smoke with higher intensity and frequency, have more dependence, and have lower success at quitting. The present study further underscores the need to address nicotine dependence as well as underlying mental health conditions that are known to be comorbid with smoking.