The tobacco smoking profile of clients attending a medically supervised injecting centre

Background: Medically supervised injecting centres offer a professionally supervised environment that is legally sanctioned for clients to inject pre-obtained illicit drugs. Among people who inject drugs (PWIDs), the rate of smoking exceeds 80% making this population particularly susceptible to tobacco-related illnesses and in need of intervention. The Medically Supervised Injecting Centre (MSIC) may be a potential setting to address tobacco smoking among PWIDs. Aims: The aim of this study is to examine MSIC clients’ tobacco smoking related behaviours. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in November2015 to January 2016. Eligible individuals were current MSIC clients aged≥18years, self-reported tobacco smokers, who had satisfactory English comprehension and were able to provide informed consent. Results: Of the 214 eligible individuals, 202 consented to participate (94%);200(99%) were daily smokers who were moderately to heavily nicotine dependent (n = 156, 77%). Most (n = 186, 83%) had made at least one quit attempt in their lifetime. Previous quit attempts were largely unaided relying mostly on will power (n = 52, 70%). The majority (n = 138, 68%) indicated that they would like to quit smoking and would like to receive access to smoking cessation strategies while at a MSIC.