[Smoking among health professionals at hospitals in Asturias].

The smoking habits of 454 doctors and 332 nursing staff members of 11 hospitals from Asturias, Spain, were studied. The mean age of the physicians was 35 +/- 8.6 years (22 to 68 years) and of the nurses was 31.8 +/- 7.3 years (19 to 60 years). 54% of doctors and 57.2% of the nurses were found to have a smoking habit (daily and occasional); and was similar in both sexes. In this survey, the 54.1% of the cardiologists were smokers (daily smokers: 39.6%; occasional smokers: 14.6%; ex smokers: 25%; non smokers: 20.8%). In conclusion, the example of the health professionals in the hospitals from Asturias is negative due to higher rate of smokers. The health professionals should be involved in an active and exemplary way against this habit.