Who smokes? Why?: Psychiatric aspects of continued cigarette usage among lawyers in Washington State

Eight-hundred two lawyers, a random sample of the Washington State Bar, were surveyed to determine the prevalence of medical and psychological distress. Approximately 15% of this group reported current cigarette use. Greater levels of dysphoric symptoms and greater misuse of alcohol differentiated male smokers from male nonsmokers, whereas no differences were found for females. The implications of these findings for pharmacologic and counseling strategies to further promote smoking cessation are discussed.