Tobacco use and mental wellbeing

a woman standing in the woods

Do you find yourself reaching for a cigarette or vape often when you’re feeling down or anxious? You’re not alone. Many people use nicotine as a way to cope with difficult emotions. Understanding how tobacco affects your mental wellbeing is an important step toward making meaningful change. 

People experiencing ongoing mental wellbeing challenges such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia have higher rates of tobacco use. 1,2

Many factors contribute to this, including:

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Self-medication by using tobacco to manage mental and emotional discomfort 

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Social isolation linked with tobacco and substance use

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Barriers to healthcare and mental wellbeing supports

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Targeted marketing by the tobacco and nicotine industry3

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Additional stressors such as financial strain, housing instability, or employment challenges

Tobacco use can worsen mental health symptoms

Nicotine, the addictive chemical in tobacco products, can make you feel calm by reducing withdrawal symptoms. But this relief fades quickly. Over time, smoking, vaping, and other tobacco use can increase stress and intensify feelings of anxiety or low mood.4

  • Tobacco can change how some mental health medications work, which can make treatment more difficult.5
  • People who use tobacco are more likely to use alcohol, cannabis, and other substances. Continued smoking, vaping, or using other tobacco products can make it harder to quit or reduce other substances.6

Myth Buster

Some misleading messages about mental wellbeing and tobacco have been promoted by the tobacco and nicotine industry to sell products and profit from addiction. Here are common myths you may have heard and what the evidence says:

Read our resource about common myths in tobacco use and mental wellbeing

 

How does quitting benefit your mental wellbeing?

Understanding the link between tobacco and mental wellbeing can make sense of why quitting feels hard. But the benefits are clear:

Quitting improves mental wellbeing:

In the long run, quitting smoking and vaping can significantly improve mental wellbeing. This includes reducing your stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms, as well as increasing positive mood and quality of life.8,9,10

When you first quit, your body needs time to adjust to being nicotine-free. You may experience unpleasant effects like mood changes, anxiety, and irritability, also known as withdrawal symptoms. This is normal and you will find that things get easier after your first few weeks of being nicotine-free.

Learn more about coping strategies to manage your mood after quitting.

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Quitting supports recovery from other addictions:

People who quit smoking often have an easier time moving away from other substances.11

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Quitting isn’t just about what you lose, it’s also about what you gain:

  • A healthier body: Not only does quitting benefit your mind, but it also boosts your physical health and energy. Quitting tobacco reduces your risk of cancers, lung diseases, and heart diseases. Read about the health benefits of quitting.
  • A healthier community: When you quit, you also make a positive change for others around you by minimizing their exposure to secondhand smoke.
  • A healthier wallet: What would you do with the extra money you save from buying cigarettes, vapes, and other tobacco products? See how much you could save when you quit.

Your mental wellbeing matters. Change is possible, and we’re here to support your journey to quit or reduce tobacco at your pace.

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Ready to take charge of your wellbeing?

You are not alone in your journey to quit or reduce tobacco and nicotine. Our expert Quit Coaches and supportive peer community are here for you along the way. We offer a range of free services to meet you where you are:

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Call a Quit Coach for one-on-one advice
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Chat live with a Quit Coach for quick, practical help
Subscribe to Text & Email Tips for extra motivation
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Tune into monthly Group Support Sessions
Join others on the Community Forum

 Note: If you are taking any medications, please consult your healthcare provider to discuss how quitting or reducing nicotine can fit best with your treatment plan. 

Mental wellbeing support

QuitNow is here to support your journey to reduce or quit smoking, vaping, or using other tobacco and nicotine products. If you are experiencing significant mental wellbeing challenges such as persistent low mood, anxiety, or stress, please reach out for support.

For immediate, 24/7 support 

BC Crisis Centre

BC Crisis Centre offers phone and text services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

  • Having thoughts of suicide? Call or text 9-8-8
  • Experiencing a mental health crisis? Call 310-6789
  • crisiscentrechat.ca
CRCL: Crisis Response. Community Led

CRCL: Crisis Response. Community Led is a mobile, community-led service that provides mental health support to people 13 years and older who are experiencing a mental health crisis. CRCL is available in North and West Vancouver, Victoria, New Westminster, Prince George, Comox Valley, and is coming soon to Kamloops. 

For Indigenous people

Indian Residential School Crisis Line

Indian Residential School Crisis Line is a national service for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience. 

Call: +1 (866) 925-4419. 

KUU-US Crisis Line Society

KUU-US Crisis Line Society is a 24-hour crisis support service for Indigenous people in BC. The line offers culturally safe, confidential support for children, youth, adults, and Elders who are in crisis or need to talk.  

  • Call: 

Adult/ Elder Line: +1 (250) 723-4050 

Child/ Youth Line: +1 (250) 723-2040 

Toll-free (anywhere in BC): +1 (800) 588-8717 

Métis Crisis Line

Métis Crisis Line is a 24/7, toll-free and confidential support service provided by Métis Nation British Columbia and KUU-US Crisis Services for all self-identifying Métis people. The line offers culturally safe crisis support and assistance for other issues like relationship troubles, depression and anxiety, financial issues, and bullying and peer pressure support. They also provide mental health resources, and referrals, tailored to the needs of the Métis community. 

  • Call: +1 (833)-MétisBC (1-833-638-4722) 
  • www.mnbc.ca 
Native Youth Crisis Hotline

Native Youth Crisis Hotline is available 24/7 for Native youth, provided as part of a suite of crisis lines and support resources under the umbrella of the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) throughout the province of British Columbia.  

  • Call 1-877-209-1266 
FNHA Mental Health and Wellness Supports

The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and other organizations provide culturally safe and trauma-informed health and wellness services to Indigenous people in BC.  

Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour

The Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour offers free one-on-one counselling sessions to Indigenous Women and Women of Colour experiencing racialized trauma in BC. Service location will be shared confidentially via email once your appointment is confirmed.

For older adults

BC Seniors’ Distress Line

BC Seniors’ Distress Line is a free, confidential phone service available 24/7 to an older adults, their caregivers, or anyone who is concerned about an older adult. Trained volunteers can help with older adults who are feeling alone, facing difficult life situations, wanting help working through a problem, or looking for information on community resources. 

  • Call 604-872-1234

For children and youth

Kid’s Help Phone

Kid’s Help Phone is a free, confidential, and anonymous telephone line for kids and teens (ages 20 and under). Professional counsellors are available to help, 24 hours a day. 

More information

Additional resources
  • BC Alcohol & Drug Information Referral Service

The BC Alcohol & Drug Information Referral Service provides a free, confidential phone service for people living BC with substance use concerns. This includes information and referral to education and prevention resources, support groups, and a full range of counselling and treatment services.

Call 1-800-663-1441

  • Foundry

Foundry BC is a province-wide network of integrated health and wellness services for young people aged 12-24. This includes mental health care, substance use services, physical & sexual healthcare, youth and family peer supports, and social services — both online and in-person in communities across BC.

https://foundrybc.ca/

  • Help Starts Here

Help Starts Here is British Columbia’s pathway for navigating mental health and substance use supports across the province.

helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca
 

  • Here to Help

HeretoHelp is a project of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Substance Use Information, a group of seven leading mental health and substance non-profit agencies in BC. The website provides screening tools and other resources on mental health, mental illness, and substance use problems.

https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/

References

  1. Minichino, A., Bersani, F. S., Calò, W. K., Spagnoli, F., Francesconi, M., Vicinanza, R., Delle Chiaie, R., & Biondi, M. (2013). Smoking behaviour and mental health disorders—Mutual influences and implications for therapy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 10(10), 4790–4811. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10104790 

  2. Prochaska, J. J., Das, S., & Young-Wolff, K. C. (2017). Smoking, mental illness, and public health. Annual Review of Public Health, 38, 165–185. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031816-044618 

  3. Apollonio, D. E., & Malone, R. E. (2005). Marketing to the marginalised: tobacco industry targeting of the homeless and mentally ill. Tobacco Control, 14(6), 409–415. https://doi.org/10.1136/tc.2005.011890  

  4. Picciotto, M. R., Brunzell, D. H., & Caldarone, B. J. (2002). Effect of nicotine and nicotinic receptors on anxiety and depression. Neuroreport, 13(9), 1097–1106. https://doi.org/10.1097/00001756-200207020-00006 

  5. World Health Organization (2018). Management of physical health conditions in adults with severe mental disorders: WHO guidelines. World Health Organization. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/275718. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO 

  6. Weinberger, A. H., Platt, J., Esan, H., Galea, S., Erlich, D., & Goodwin, R. D. (2017). Cigarette smoking is associated with increased risk of substance use disorder relapse: A nationally representative, prospective longitudinal investigation. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 78(2), e152–e160. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.15m10062 

  7. Prochaska J. J. (2011). Smoking and mental illness--breaking the link. The New England Journal of Medicine, 365(3), 196–198. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMp1105248 

  8. Dai, H. D., & Young, B. (2025). Changes in quality of life and mental health outcomes related to vaping cessation among US adults. Tobacco Control, tc-2024-059098. https://doi.org/10.1136/tc-2024-059098 

  9. Taylor, G., McNeill, A., Girling, A., Farley, A., Lindson-Hawley, N., & Aveyard, P. (2014). Change in mental health after smoking cessation: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 348, g1151. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g1151 

  10. Taylor, G. M., Lindson, N., Farley, A., Leinberger-Jabari, A., Sawyer, K., Te Water Naudé, R., Theodoulou, A., King, N., Burke, C., & Aveyard, P. (2021). Smoking cessation for improving mental health. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2021(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013522.pub2 

  11. Parks, M. J., Blanco, C., Creamer, M. R., Kingsbury, J. H., Everard, C. D., Marshall, D., Kimmel, H. L., & Compton, W. M. (2025). Cigarette Smoking During Recovery From Substance Use Disorders. JAMA Psychiatry, 82(10), 1002–1008. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2025.1976  

  12. Tam, J., Warner, K. E., & Meza, R. (2016). Smoking and the reduced life expectancy of individuals with serious mental illness. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 51(6), 958–966. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2016.06.007  

  13. Liu, N. H., Daumit, G. L., Dua, T., Aquila, R., Charlson, F., Cuijpers, P., Druss, B., Dudek, K., Freeman, M., Fujii, C., Gaebel, W., Hegerl, U., Levav, I., Munk Laursen, T., Ma, H., Maj, M., Elena Medina-Mora, M., Nordentoft, M., Prabhakaran, D., Pratt, K., … Saxena, S. (2017). Excess mortality in persons with severe mental disorders: a multilevel intervention framework and priorities for clinical practice, policy and research agendas. World Psychiatry: Official Journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), 16(1), 30–40. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20384  

  14. World Health Organization (2020). Tobacco Use and Mental Health Conditions: A Policy Brief. https://iris.who.int/server/api/core/bitstreams/6c2927bf-ff4d-4590-b9d8-ed39d40e4e31/content 

Get Help Now 1-877-455-2233