Many persons with mental disorders smoke cigarettes, while smoking contribute to more frequent occurrences of tobacco diseases, especially coronary heart disease, respiratory diseases and tumours. These diseases can be neglected because of the bad psychical condition of patients. Important are also interactions between nicotine and medicines taken by mentally handicapped persons. It seems very essential to recognize factors favourable smoking, so it can contribute to create effective programs for patients willing quit smoking. The research's aim was to characterize nicotine addiction among mentally ill persons.

The investigated group consisted of 104 smokers with diagnosed mental disorder (schizophrenia or depression disorders). The control group was established from 80 mentally healthy smokers.

In the research one used detailed interview, clinical research and following questionnaire methods: Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, Schneider Test (the test of motivation for smoking cessation), the test of readiness to change (in the basis of the Transtheoretical Model of Behavioral Change, TTM)

Gained results indicate the higher degree of addiction and lower readiness to quit smoking among mentally ill in comparison to the control group. The research reveal negative correlation between the wish of quit smoking and the age of examined and intensification of symptoms of a disease.

The research showed the need of creation the specific programs of smoking cessation programs for mentally ill persons with particular consideration of the work on motivation to change, reduction depression syndromes and work on the improving live satisfaction.