Uniting Physicians Against Smoking: The Need for a Coordinated National Strategy
- Ronald M. Davis, MD
Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text.
Excerpt
In the late 1960s, the Public Health Service produced and distributed a simple black-and-white poster that stated in bold letters, "100 000 Doctors Have Quit Smoking Cigarettes." Small print at the bottom of the poster explained that "maybe they know something you don't." Since that time, recognition has grown that physicians can play a major role in the campaign to achieve a smoke-free society.
There are at least four major reasons why physicians are perceived as important participants in the antismoking campaign. First, physicians are among the most well-respected and trusted of all professionals. Smokers may ignore cajoling by concerned family members and may resent the stern looks of annoyed "passive" smokers. But they will accept with good graces strong words of advice from physicians, dignified in their white coats. Moreover, most physicians are good role models with respect to not smoking—a survey of 1000 randomly selected physicians conducted in
