Why do medical practitioners like doctors and nurses smoke cigarette?

Medical practitioners are more aware of the effects of cigarette smoking, yet they are on the habit.

Smoking is not a habit. It is an addiction, much worse than any illegal drug, except maybe crack. Doctors/nurses can get hooked as anyone else. It is an "instant gratification" drug. One drag and you instantly feel less stressed, less tired, less angry, less any negatives that are happening to you.

Look at "DULCERN 4U". She is a nurse. She says, "you're going to die from something". This is typical denial and certainly not a good reason to continue smoking. It can happen to anyone. We are all human.

I have severe COPD. I am on oxygen, pills, inhalers, etc. I still sneak a cigarette whenever I can. I am 60 years old and started smoking when I was about 13 years old. Now that I am so sick, I only smoke one or two a week, but wouldn't you call that stupid?
I do too.

No one can understand unless you have been there.

I've noticed this and I don't get it. Three of my friends who are all in the nursing program smoke. It makes no sense! I guess you get into the habit before you go into the schooling and it's hard to quit, but still. You'd think knowing the effects would be enough motivation.

It's a habit - no one is perfect. They are human just like the rest of us.....we all know the side effects and the warnings of cigarettes, alcohol, etc but we still have the ultimate choice as to whether or not we use them. They, too, have that choice.

The nicotine in cigarettes reduces stress as well as the accompanied oral fixation so they aren't binge eatting. And its a lot more legal than smacking around that annoying patient.

Because the way the job is set up smoking is the only way you get a break. I work in healthcare and alot of people smoke for that reason. Otherwise you are expected to just keep working. Smoking is bad and so is working 10 hour shifts without a break.

why do u think actors and mailmen smoke many reasons some ppl smoke instead of eat become addicted after they tried once while in high school

I don't think at this point the general public knows any more or less about the effects of cigarettes than the medical community. The medical community is just normal people with jobs, that happen to be in medical fields. It doesn't make them any smarter than anyone else. So the same reason's the general public still smokes, are the exact same reason's the medical community does.

Well, first I am a nurse and yes I smoke! My bad.... It really does relieve my stress, keep me from eating sporadically and on the run. Sometimes it's the only way I can get a break! I work 12 hour shifts and we don't always get meal breaks if it's real busy, but 5 minutes here and there always seems manageable. I know it's no excuse but when you watch people die everyday, at some point you realize your going to die anyway, I'm just choosing my poison! I can't drink alcohol or take drugs at work, what's a girl to do!

Yes, I hate that. It's do as I say, not as I do. Respiratory Therapists are some of the worse one's that smoke. That's why a lot of hospitals are going smoke free (meaning you can't smoke anywhere on their property). They look at it as... "How can we tell people to stop smoking, and walk right outside an light one up?" It has made a lot of employees mad, but you can't expect your patients to stop smoking of you don't.

yeah i know... it's ironic. they preach about the dangers of smoking, and yet here they are -- smoking it. talk about setting good examples.

me however, i have a degree in respiratory care and a nursing students, but im not one of them. i don't smoke, and encourage (not force) people to quit the habit and i do that by setting a good example.

kinda like law makers who break laws

preachers who sin

bankers who steal

teachers who cheat

law enforcers who break speed limits

psychiatrists who commit suicide