[Smoking habits: a study of hospital staff]

The results of a survey carried out in our hospital about the use of cigarettes in which 680 staff members participated (257 men and 423 women) are presented. The percentage of current smokers was 50% (51.8% amongst women and 45.1% amongst men). The highest percentages of smokers were found amongst nurses (61%), maintenance staff (50%) and administrative staff (45.1%); 41% of physicians smoked. Quitting the smoking habit was more frequent amongst physicians and higher grade staff, with a predominance of older males. The smallest number of quitters was found amongst nurses. 93.5% of the surveyed subjects agreed with the establishment of restrictive measures, finding no differences according to age, sex, or professional status, although there were differences according to the smoking habit. The results obtained point out the importance of the smoking problem amongst health professionals and could be used to promote programs against smoking in hospitals.