Smoking and Health

Although cigarette smoking is the number one public health problem in the United States, physicians have failed to take the lead either in convincing youngsters not to begin smoking or in aiding adults to quit smoking. To be most effective and convincing in combating the smoking epidemic, practicing physicians must have the same basic fund of knowledge about the short- and long-term consequences of smoking as they do about other commonly encountered medical problems. By acting on such knowledge and adopting a definite set of attitudes and activities in their offices and with patients, physicians can make a significant contribution to their patients and to the entire community in which they practice.     

Smoking and health

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Canada, accounting for some 30 000 deaths annually. This enormous health cost to Canadians has led the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) to promote initiatives regarding smoking prevention programs in schools, legislation to prevent smoking in government buildings and controls on smoking in private buildings, particularly places of work. The CMA recommends the prohibition of all forms of tobacco advertising/promotion in Canada, including advertising in conjunction with athletic events. The CMA also supports the taxation of tobacco products at a level to discourage their purchase, with revenue earmarked for health budgets, and the association is encouraging the federal government to develop alternative crop incentives for tobacco farmers. The norm of nonsmoking is a social attitude the CMA is working toward developing in all Canadians.