The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as a tobacco control tool in the mental health setting

Background Smoking rates remain high among people with mental health conditions, even though smoking contributes to negative mental health outcomes and is a leading cause of mortality. Many mental health facilities are not covered by smoke-free laws or do not encourage smoking cessation, and people with mental health conditions are often targeted in tobacco industry promotions. Objective To analyse how the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), to which most countries are a Party, obliges State Parties to review policies and practices for tobacco control in the mental health setting. Method Analysis of CRPD Articles relevant to smoking and mental health. Results The CRPD contains several provisions that oblige State Parties to address the issue of smoking and mental health, particularly in relation to quit services, smoke-free policies in mental health facilities, health education focused on correcting misperceptions about smoking and mental health, and protecting people with mental health conditions from tobacco industry targeting. Conclusions The CRPD is a potentially powerful tool to promote tobacco control in the mental health context.