Smoking--do vascular surgeons practise what they preach?

Smoking is a major health problem in Great Britain and cigarette consumption is rising. Although there are studies concerning the smoking habits of hospital physicians, nurses and oral and maxillofacial surgeons, little is known about the smoking habits of vascular surgeons and the advice given by them to their patients. A questionnaire survey was conducted involving 422 members of the Vascular Surgical Society of Great Britain and Ireland. The response rate was 74%. The median age of responders was 51 years (range, 32-69 years) of whom 98% were men. Of responders, 98% routinely advise patients to stop smoking, 10% advise nicotine gum/patch, 39% provide antismoking information sheets, 11% are involved in an antismoking clinic/group and 74% check to see whether patients continue to smoke. The majority of responders would be prepared to offer revascularisation in patients who continue to smoke. Only 8 surgeons (3%) would not advise revascularisation in this group of patients. Only 10% of respondents were current smokers, 37% were ex-smokers and 53% had never smoked. Vascular surgeons, therefore, seem to practise what they preach.