OBJECTIVES. To present the results of the study of the current prevalence of smoking among Brazilian physicians, according to field of specialization. The study was performed in the period from May to October 1996. METHOD. Data were collected by spontaneous reply from 11,909 physicians registered in Brazilian Medical Association, in the various States of Brazil and medical specializations. RESULTS. The results indicated that 759 (6.4%) are regular smokers, 11,150 (93.6%) are non-smokers and that 4,085 (34.3%) are former smokers. The highest rates of non smoking were found among the societies of specialties that have effetive smoking control programs (pneumology, oncology, cardiology and otorhinolaryngology). The northern, northeastern and mid-western regions of the country presented the highest prevalences of smoking. The onset of smoking occurs more frequently in the 10-19 years age group (72.6%), with similar distribution in both sexes. There were no female physicians who began smoking before 10 years of age. CONCLUSION. It is very important that physicians receive information regarding smoking as well as to have the development of smoking control programs in the specialty societies and in the regional associations federated to the Brazilian Medical Association.
Smoking; Prevalence; Brazilian Physicians
