Smoking as a Risk Factor for Suicide

Cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk for suicide. However, findings regarding this relationship are not yet consistent. Despite the fact that the prevalence of smoking is higher in suicidal individuals, it is not clear that smoking itself (or the effect of nicotine on brain function) is directly involved in suicidality or whether other factors associated with both suicide and smoking are implicated in this relationship. Indeed it has been found that several suicide risk factors are more common among current smokers than among those who have never smoked. This book examines the findings in regards to the increased risk in suicide among cigarette smokers.