Who should be taking responsibility and what should we be doing for the problem of high smoking rates among people with mental illness?

The purpose of this doctoral study has been to explore the beliefs about the problem of the high rates of smoking among people with mental illness and to examine recommendations for reducing smoking rates. The aim was to examine the experiences and knowledge of Australian experts in tobacco cessation (people who have won awards for their work in this area)and innovators (or 'change champions') working in the field of mental health and tobacco cessation and to identify recommended measures for policy change.Twenty one interviews were undertaken which were analysed and coded into themes. These themes formed the basis of 2 rounds of the Delphi technique used to establish a group consensus position from the participants. The themes most supported by both experts and change champions are clustered into 5 main areas; leadership, consistency of message, awareness of the benefits, the need to train staff and to join mental health to physical health.The workshop would be an opportunity to discuss the potential for implementation of these main themes within the framework of Carol Bacchi's process of examining the belief system behind problems which she calls 'What's the problem represented to be?' The mental health system is believed to bear the major responsibility for both the problem and the solution but they are not accepting it.This problematisation will be discussed as it appears to be an issue ripe and ready for the formation of a partnership. The tobacco control movement around the world has been impressively successful over the last few decades by having a united voice and this is an area of work that would benefit from equally strong cooperation and unity. Learning Objectives: 1.To discuss the study results with practitioners in the field to transfer research findings into practice. 2.To assertain whether Bacchi's 'What's the problem represented to be?' resonates with mental health service providers.