Cigarette smoking by New Zealand doctors: results from the 1976 population census

In the 1976 New Zealand population Census, 3584 male and 505 female doctors aged 25 years and over responded to a question on cigarette smoking. Twenty percent of men and 17% of women doctors smoke cigarettes regularly compared with 40% of men and 30% of women in the general population over 25 years. Cigarette smoking by male doctors has fallen from 37% in 1963 to 20% in 1976. There has been a minor increase by women doctors since 1972. Obstetricians smoke more heavily (27%) than other specialty groups but have reduced their smoking since 1972. Male physicians have the lowest rate of smoking (16%). About one in four of those in other professions are cigarette smokers compared with about half those in other occupational groups such as labourers, transport and service workers.