Whanganui District Health Board acute inpatient mental health unit Te Awhina becomes smokefree on Tuesday, bringing it in line with the rest of the health board campus.
Katheryn Butters, Te Awhina clinical nurse manager, said smoking rates among people with mental health and addiction issues were significantly higher than those who do not have mental health problems.
"Sadly, there is a disproportionate incidence of tobacco-related illness and early death of people who have a mental illness. One study estimates a third of all cigarettes purchased in New Zealand are consumed by people with mental health issues," Mrs Butters said.
"There is no getting away from the fact that tobacco smoking remains the single largest cause of preventable illness and death in New Zealand, contributing to around 5000 deaths each year, and one in four cancer deaths."
To support the implementation of its smokefree policy, Te Awhina service users who smoke will be given advice and help to quit smoking, including nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products.