Smoking habits: the prevention role of teachers and general practitioners

Surveys carried out widely in French-speaking Belgium showed that the frequency of nicotine addiction among teachers is not very different from that of other job categories. Among physicians, the number of smokers--although lower than average--is too high, especially among psychiatrists, gynecologists, and, paradoxically, heart specialists. However, young doctors usually do not smoke. The authors argue for a program aimed at making teachers and general practitioners more aware of the problem of smoking. This intervention may lend support to those trying to reach the general public.