Study designs of evaluations included in the review
The inclusion criteria for the study design were not reported.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies investigating the impact of smoking and smoking bans on psychiatric illness were eligible for inclusion. Studies evaluating complete and partial bans were included.
Participants included in the review
The inclusion criteria for the participants were not explicit. The terms used included psychiatric/mental disorders and substance abuse. By implication, the participants were psychiatric patients or patients being treated for addictions, who were either in-patients or attended out-patient departments or day hospital. Involuntary status, where reported, ranged from 55% to near 100%.
Outcomes assessed in the review
The inclusion criteria for the outcomes were not reported. The authors reported behavioural changes. The indicators used included the use of restraints or seclusion, the occurrence of assault or injury, the number of calls to security, discharges against medical advice or elopements, medication changes and records of illicit smoking. The Ward Atmosphere Scale and the Overt Aggression Scale were the most common instruments used. Structure questionnaires were used in some studies to assess the attitudes to, and impact of, smoking bans. The studies in addiction settings focused more on the smokers' interest in quitting smoking before and after the smoking ban, than on behavioural changes and management issues.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors did not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many reviewers performed the selection.