Switch? A Documentary About Smoking and Schizophrenia - Marilena Marchetti

People with a diagnosis of schizophrenia have exceptionally high rates of smoking. Studies show anywhere from 80 to 90 percent smoke cigarettes and they smoke a lot. Nicotine patches, gums and medication have low success rates in this group. There is a pervasive sense of hopelessness that it’s not possible to help people with schizophrenia stop smoking. As a result, little media attention or research has been conducted with this group to find a way to reduce the harms of smoking. With the invention of e-cigarettes, though, there is cause for optimism. This documentary takes place in Catania, Italy where Dr. Pasquale Caponnetto and his colleagues are conducting a research trial that offers e-cigarettes to people with schizophrenia.