I feel that smoking is such an insult to one's health and everyone around the smoker.

 

Healthcare professionals need to do a self-assessment as to their own health.

We all know the end products of smoking.  I never smoked, never tried it. It is

a time waster, money waster, and a compromise to all participants including the

second-handers.

 How can one do patient teaching for someone with this problem if you yourself

have the problem? Healthcare professionals need to set an excellent example in

all aspects of their lives. When I was a patient and someone came in to take my

vitals, check my IV, or draw blood, and they were a smoker-it would immediately

disgust me as they smelled of tobacco smoke. Not therapeutic at all!!!

I totally agree.  We do need to be role models for our patients, our children, and those in the community.  I believe we live to a higher standard.

In a way it is hypocritical,but we also need to realize that it's their body and if they choose to, then so be it ,but if they are trying to quit then it is in our best to try and help them by giving them  support and encouragement. not nagging. ( it did not work on my grandfather or my great-grandmother and they had been smoking for decades before they passed away) .

kennyboy says ...

I have to agree with one of the comments made.  Do we find our patients digusting when we find out they smoke? I hope not, we of course try encouragement and support to the patient.  This may be helpful instead of frowning upon our fellow peers.

I don't find the *person* disgusting- but I most certainly find the *addiction* disgusting. The smell of smoke on a persons clothing or smoke wafting through the air makes me nauseus and more often than not gives me a headache- it's worse to me than unchecked body odor. I understand- it's an addiction- but just like I don't want to be around the person who reeks of B.O, I also don't want to be around the person who smokes- not because I find *them* disgusting- but because the effects of their habit make my stomach protest and give me headaches.

I agree with Pezzy.  I used to smoke a well and it is disgusting.  I do know it is a very hard habbit to quit.  Best of luck to everyone trying to break this habbit. 

I don't consider nurses and doctors who smoke are hypocrites, though I hate seeing them smoke. Not everyone wanted to smoke. As we can read in this discussion, there are those who are trying to quit the habit. These people and all others who doesn't smoke deserve commendation.

ITS THERE CHOICE AND THERE BODY.

It is simply pathetic! Be a good model.

OK, I will be honest.  I am a smoker that quit smoking for five years then restarted.  Am trying to quit again with no luck so far.  I have tried the patch, it broke me out.  I have tried cold turkey and I have tried the wonderful drug called Chantex.  I became a raging witch!.  The simpiest thing would cause me to go into a rage.  I did not become suicidal but of course on that subject my thoughts have always been I will stay alive just to hack some one else off.  However, I will continue to try to quit and hopefully I will succeed.  At least this week my husband is out of town so I won't take my rage out on him.  Pity the poor cat and dogs though.  As far as seeing my patients, I go to their homes and I always spray with a fabric spray and use a mint before going into their homes.  The only comment I have ever had is "you always smell good".  So of course I say thank you and my self conscious level seems to go up a tad.  To all those who smoke and want to stop, I wish you luck.  To those of you who do not want to stop yet, I will not judge you.  To those of you who have been slammed because of being overweight, no body is a perfect 10, it just seems to be easier to point out others faults.  And most of all, to those of you who have no faults, I am in total awe of you and I hope you don't fall off your mountain top.  After all if not for you all, us mere humans would not know what all our faults are.

I am so glad to see that there are so many self righteous, pompous people here.  I am sure that all of those that do not smoke, hate smoke, have never smoked or have quit smoking have no other habits that could interfer in their health or some one elses.  I also hope that we have more compassion for those non medical people who have bad habits.  When there is a drug addict alcoholic under our care, do show as much disdain or do we attempt to help and understand? I hope for the latter.

While I feel that no one should be smoking, I don't think anyone can judge a doctor or a nurse who smokes.  They may have started the habit well before they decided to be a doctor/nurse.  Also, not that this is an excuse, but they do lead very stressful lives and quitting smoking is extremely difficult.  Why do people eat at McDonald's?  Why do people drink?  People do lots of things that are not good for them, even if they know better.  Their job is to know what is good for the body and teach that to others.  They do not have to be saints to be good doctors/nurses.  While I think that it may be hypocritical for them to smoke, it is not my  business to judge anything they do.

Smoking is the worst habit a person can have as it is not only affecting the person but also affecting people around. There are a lot of problems associated with smoking which people face like problem with respiratory system, heart and many more. Chantix helps you to get over this smoking habit and it works on the body by giving you the same feel good effect as smoking and hence reduces the craving for nicotine. You can have all the information on chantix here http://www.chantixhome.com/ Along with having this medicine, you should also have will power and feeling that you want to get over this habit.

I think that nurses should not be smoking around their patients.  I can smell it on a nurse after she comes back from her 15 minute break and if I can smell it so can the patients.  They are already sick and do  they really need the smell of cigarettes combined with their sickness.  I know that they spray their breath and chew gum but the smell is still there.  At least have the common courtesy to not smoke during working hours.  I smoked years ago and so I am not preaching as a non smoker.

I'm not a fan of smoking, but as long as they're not subjecting me to it, it's not my concern.

Some people compare quiting smoking to quiting cocaine or heroin.  We know that many drug addicts have to go into rehab to break their cycle.  Has anyone come up with a rehab for smokers.  I don't think so, or at least I haven't heard of one.  We all preach about using the patches, sprays, gums and now Chantix.  Let me tell you, they pulled me off Chantix real quick because it gave me nausea, personality and psychological changes.  Another words, even with some help, smoking is not as easy to quit as some people think.  I try not to smoke around people, I go outside by myself, I use sprays on my clothes and breath fresheners before being around people.  I am trying to quit smoking again, in fact, I am even taking a week off from work so that no one has to be around me. Do I guarentee that I will be successful, heck no.  Do I agree smoking is not good for nurses and doctors, yes.  Do I think that all people will quit smoking because they are being criticized, no.  Do I think we as people do more criticizing of things in general, yes. What will we all criticize and judge when all the people of the world quit smoking.  Do we have a new subject picked out?

Captain says ...

Amen Martini

I have been a Fireman for 24 years and EMT for three and I take COPD patients to the hospital all the time yet I wont Lie I smoke... I cannot Judge for those who do .. is it hypocritical for me to be in an ambulance wishing there was something I could do for these people and know what its like to want another Cigarette? Maybe.. but in the end I still want that cigarette when i have a chance and I still wish they hadnt smoked!! Maybe I will be in their shoes someday and be a rider instead of a caregiver.....you are Damned if you do and damned if you dont...and Like Martini said....what will we demean someone else for if there are no smokers left... in all honesty I have transported more people due to DUI and DWI then i have all the smokers combined.... food for thought..... we should concentrate more on people who drink then those who smoke... I have yet to light up a cigarette and kill four people a mile from my house in doing so!

Captin, how are you, I am glad that you posted this.

It took me along time to post in this post, because I actually know a Fireman like you who smokes. I didn't want to voice my opinions about doctor's and nurses who smoke, I thought the topic was too narrow. I am glad that you think the way you do. Honesty, I agree with you, there are  more death from DUI's than smoking a cigarette.