Smoking habits among the hospital staff of a General Hospital in Northern Greece: a long way for smoke-free hospitals

Background and Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate the smoking habits of all staff working in a General Hospital, and to examine whether these habits comply with the introduction of a tobacco law in July 2002, where smoking in enclosed public areas, including hospital buildings, has been forbidden in Greece. Methods. All hospital staff in Serres General Hospital was asked to complete and return a questionnaire about their smoking habits. The questionnaire was voluntary and anonymous. The survey was conducted from October 2003 to January 2004. Results. Six hundred and twenty three (74%) of the 847 members of staff responded; 310 (50%) were current smokers and 313 (50%) were non-smokers of whom 101 (32%) were ex-smokers. The prevalence of current smokers was the highest among nurses (57%) and the lowest among doctors (31%). Male smokers (42%) were outnumbered by female smokers (54%) in all age groups up to the age of 60 years (p<0,01), although the reverse is the trend in Greek population (47% and 29%, respectively). The highest rate of smokers was found at the age group of 31- 40 years (60%), while these above sixty years had the smallest (29%). Seventy percent of current smokers had at least one family member who was current smoker vs 49% of non-smokers (p<0,001). The vast majority of smokers (94%) continued to smoke in hospital, of whom 62% smoke more than 5 cigarettes while at work. Conclusions. The high rate of smokers among the health professionals compared to those in the general population would probably have a negative influence on the development, implementation and inspection of workplace smoking bans in Greece. Increased efforts to promote tobacco education and intervention among doctors and nurses and to establish specialist smoking cessation services throughout the National Health Service should be the standard component of antismoking policy for the law to be effective.