Introduction
Doctors act as role models, information providers, and risk behavior modifiers. Therefore, studying their smoking habits and attitudes is important. The aim of this study was to explore smoking habits among young doctors, and to study their knowledge, attitude, and action toward smoking.
Materials and methods
This is a field study with a total of 229 male residents (24–28 years). Women were not included as they rarely smoke. A questionnaire was filled including details of smoking profile and attitudes toward smoking.
Results
Regular smokers constituted 11.3%, occasional smokers 3.1%, ex-smokers 0.9%, and never-smokers 84.7%. Smoking was 29.7% among married men compared with 9.7% in single men ( < 0.01). In all, 74.3% were cigarette smokers, and 20% used a water-pipe. In all, 77.1% started smoking while studying at the Faculty of Medicine. To pass stress was the cause for starting in 77.1%, and 75.8% continued smoking because they believed it is anxiolytic. Hospital resident house was the place where they mostly smoked (81.8%). In all, 21.2% of the smokers smoke also at work, and 12.1% smoke even in front of patients. Knowing or hearing about smoking cessation methods was as follows: 59.8% behavioral therapy, 76.9% nicotine replacement therapy, 17.9% varenicline, and 0.9% bupropion. A total of 99.6% of smokers had heard about the electronic cigarette; 94.3% strongly agreed that giving advice to stop smoking is one of the doctors' jobs. However, 27.5% always, 7.4% mostly, 21.4% occasionally ask about smoking history. In addition, among the doctors who ask about smoking history, only 14.7% always ask and 45% mostly give advice for discovered smokers to quit.
Conclusion
These results highlight the need to protect young physicians from taking the habit of smoking, and to motivate and educate them to help their smoking patients to quit.