WARM SPRINGS - The Montana State Hospital campus snuffed out smoking this summer to boost the physical health of patients who have landed at the western Montana facility for psychological care.

So far, a few patients and employees at the Warm Springs hospital have been caught violating the policy; patients are caught with tobacco or lighters once or twice a week, said Chief Executive Officer Ed Amberg.

The changes went into effect in June as administrators sought to find healthy social activities to replace smoking, which had become a popular means of connecting staff and patients.

Amberg says, "We were really doing a disservice to them by encouraging and continuing their addiction to tobacco."

Employees can no longer smoke during lunch or breaks, either.

Studies show a disproportionately high use of tobacco products among those with mental illness. Sixty-five percent to 85 percent of schizophrenia sufferers smoke.