I noticed the officials quoted in this story had answers for the issues of security and bartering and potential abuse and all of that. But I didn't hear any of them really address the possible effects of forced smoking cessation on the patients:
"These people are put in the state hospitals to regain their competency, not for their physical health. This is their residence when they are put in there for six months, a year, five years or 10 years," Ames said.
"The state is not pushing to stop smoking in other people's homes," she said. "And I feel smoking relieves some of the psychological symptoms, and by not allowing smoking, patients can become violent and have to be put in restraints."
OK, there isn't an increase in the need for restraints. But is there no mental-health effect from forcibly confining people to get their heads straight, then withdrawing nicotine from them at the same time? Or maybe, there is an effect, but they want to argue that the postive physical effects outweigh the negative mental ones. Which is it?
