Smoking habits and attitudes of Durban metropolitan anaesthetists

A modified World Health Organization questionnaire about the smoking habits and attitudes of health professionals was sent to all practising anaesthetists in the Durban metropolitan area. The most striking feature of the 102 replies (response rate 78%) was the trend away from smoking, 58% of respondents having smoked at some stage and only 19% currently smoking daily. The marked consensus on the steps which should be taken to curb public smoking correlated with the views of both the Medical Association of South Africa and the South African Medical Research Council. It was, however, disappointing that some anaesthetists smoked in the presence of patients (5%), did not advise pregnant patients to stop (9%), and disagreed with sales restriction to minors (13%). It is hoped that this study will provide the impetus for a larger study among all practitioners in order to define clearly attitudes towards smoking and to bring effective pressure upon Government to curb smoking.