[Tobacco smoking among Italian physicians]

A survey of the international literature published between 1985 and 2000 reveals high smoking rates among Italian physicians. Since 1985 smoking rates among physicians have gradually declined, similarly to those of general population. However, prevalence rates seem to vary between northern and southern Italy, with the highest rates in the southern regions. Studies examining smoking rates by gender reveal that, while smoking trends among males have declined somewhat, the latter remained relatively stable among female physicians. From an international perspective, declines in the absolute smoking rates of Italian physicians have not kept pace with those of many other countries, since at least one-quarter of Italian physicians currently smoke. Furthermore, most of the Italian physicians smoke while they are at work. This represents an occupational health problem that needs to be addressed by all levels of management. In meeting this challenge, occupational medicine has an important role to play in helping reduce the prevalence of smoking among health care workers.