Summary: Introduction: Healthcare professionals (HPs) have been confronted by unprecedented traumatic experiences during the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, especially in countries that had not experienced similar epidemic outbreaks in recent years. Aim: To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of HPs. Method: We comprehensively reviewed the studies published in MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science and Google Scholar between December 2019 and May 2020. Results: Most studies report a high prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among HPs that can be associated with: (i) COVID-19 exposure; (ii) epidemiological issues; (iii) material resources; (iv) human resources; and (v) personal factors. The role of certain variables, before, during and after the pandemic, remains unexplored. Longitudinal studies will help elucidate which factors are associated with a higher risk of developing long-lasting negative effects. Qualitative studies may contribute to understanding the influence of individual and social narratives in HPs’ distress. Conclusion: A deeper analysis on the individual, institutional, political and socio-cultural factors, meanings and values influencing HPs distress and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic is needed.

Introduction: There is a high prevalence of smoking among heavy drinkers, which is often forgotten even though it has important health consequences. Aim: To evaluate the effects that providing an intensive tobacco cessation treatment simultaneously with alcohol dependence treatment versus delayed treatment (first alcohol and 6 months later tobacco) has on alcohol and tobacco consumption. Methods: Ninety-two alcohol-dependent smokers were randomized into either a simultaneous group, in which treatment was given concurrently for quitting both alcohol and tobacco, or a delayed group, in which help to quit smoking was given after 6 months. Results: No differences were found in alcohol abstinence rates in time-to-first relapse or in cumulative abstinence at 6 months. Smoking cessation rates were low overall, but better at 3 months in the simultaneous group, although differences later disappeared. Discussion: Participation in a smoking cessation program does not impair alcohol outcomes, at least during the first 6 months.

Introduction Smoke-free policies have been extended to enclosed workplaces in many countries; however, smoking continues to be commonly allowed on psychiatric premises. The aim of this study was to describe tobacco control strategies undertaken in psychiatric inpatient services and day centres in Spain. Methods This cross-sectional survey included all psychiatric service centres that offered public services in Catalonia, Spain (n=192). Managers responded to a questionnaire of 24 items that covered four dimensions, including clinical intervention, staff training and commitment, smoking area management and communication of smoke-free policies. Results A total of 186 managers (96.9%) completed the questionnaire. Results showed low tobacco control in psychiatric services: 41.0% usually intervened in patient tobacco use, 34.1% had interventional pharmacotherapy available and 38.9% had indoor smoking areas. Day centres showed the lowest implementation of tobacco control measures. Out of 186 managers, 47.3% stated that the staff had insufficient knowledge on smoking cessation interventions. Conclusions The former Spanish partial law has not been sufficiently successful in promoting tobacco control in psychiatric services. There is room for improvement in tobacco control policies, specifically in smoking interventions, staff training and resource availability.