[Doctors and tobacco smoking]

A survey undertaken at three hospitals in Zagreb in 1988 showed that 32.1% of doctors employed were smokers. Another survey found that 31.5% of doctors in 10 health centers in Zagreb in 1993 were smokers. In the same year, some 44 percent of male doctors in health centers in Bjelovar were found to be smokers, along with 40 percent of women. In the beginning of 1999, the Croatia Medical Association undertook an international survey on smoking by doctors who were members of the Association. The survey was in cooperation with the European Forum of Medical Associations (EFMA). The survey showed that only 13% of doctors were still smokers, while 28% were former smokers and 59% had never smoked. The cause for this decrease in smoking by doctors was better information on the scientific evidence about the harmfulness of smoking. One element contributing to the greater availability of information was the work of the Anti-Smoking Coordinating Committee of the Croatian Medical Association.