[Shysdragon]

Originally Posted by Corvette Guy

Plus, same goes for the *obese medical professionals... just pathetic.

*I'm not referring to those with legit thyroid problems.

I wish that I was as erudite as you and I wish that I had all the answers as cynically put as you however I don't. I do however have respect for others and the choices that they make in life. I understand the reasons nurses and doctors smoke, you may or may not understand but that is a moot point as you have made you position quite clear in those respects. Maybe in your life you have not held a companion who is dying from one of mans nastier habits in your arms on a battlefield unfortunately I have. Maybe you haven't spent 24 hours working in surgery taking care of victems of mans other nasty habits such as drunkeness again I have. Maybe you live a perfect life in a perfect world where there is no stress I unfortunately don't. I smoke, I don't offer cigarettes to newborns, toddlers, or underage minors. I don't smoke if someone asks me not to and I don't find a high soapbox to espouse my rights regardless of the efforts of you and others like you. I do however find a modicum of happiness in a cigarette on a break or with a fine shot of scotch. This is my right as your complaining about smokers is your right. Until cigarettes are illegal I will smoke. I also work out 4 to 5 times a week and counsel my children about the dangers of smoking. If you are as you state so forcefully in favour of clean air, why not tell your congressman to replace coal fired generators, lobby for cleaner automobiles, and our factory stacks which bless us with acid rain. Smokers are a convienent target for anti's because as another mentioned its always the children. Do you pontificate as loudly against child abuse, spousal abuse, child porn etc... If you do my hat is off to you, if you don't then you are missing many avenues that could save and protect far more children then my Camel Wide Full Flavour ever harmed. Finally I find your attitude towards people who are not the barbie and ken image of anorexic america offensive and demeaning to all nurses and people in general. I am not a judeo christian but remember in your bible a warning from Christ that states do not try and remove the mote from your neighbors eye before removing he log from your own.

[Corvette Guy]

Originally Posted by Shysdragon

Originally Posted by Corvette Guy


Plus, same goes for the *obese medical professionals... just pathetic.

*I'm not referring to those with legit thyroid problems.
____________
I wish that I was as erudite as you and I wish that I had all the answers as cynically put as you however I don't. I do however have respect for others and the choices that they make in life. I understand the reasons nurses and doctors smoke, you may or may not understand but that is a moot point as you have made you position quite clear in those respects. Maybe in your life you have not held a companion who is dying from one of mans nastier habits in your arms on a battlefield unfortunately I have. Maybe you haven't spent 24 hours working in surgery taking care of victems of mans other nasty habits such as drunkeness again I have. Maybe you live a perfect life in a perfect world where there is no stress I unfortunately don't. I smoke, I don't offer cigarettes to newborns, toddlers, or underage minors. I don't smoke if someone asks me not to and I don't find a high soapbox to espouse my rights regardless of the efforts of you and others like you. I do however find a modicum of happiness in a cigarette on a break or with a fine shot of scotch. This is my right as your complaining about smokers is your right. Until cigarettes are illegal I will smoke. I also work out 4 to 5 times a week and counsel my children about the dangers of smoking. If you are as you state so forcefully in favour of clean air, why not tell your congressman to replace coal fired generators, lobby for cleaner automobiles, and our factory stacks which bless us with acid rain. Smokers are a convienent target for anti's because as another mentioned its always the children. Do you pontificate as loudly against child abuse, spousal abuse, child porn etc... If you do my hat is off to you, if you don't then you are missing many avenues that could save and protect far more children then my Camel Wide Full Flavour ever harmed. Finally I find your attitude towards people who are not the barbie and ken image of anorexic america offensive and demeaning to all nurses and people in general. I am not a judeo christian but remember in your bible a warning from Christ that states do not try and remove the mote from your neighbors eye before removing he log from your own.

I'm not intolerantly devoted to any prejudice towards medical professionals that are smokers, or obese. Erudite? No, I never claimed to have all the answers. I wish I knew how to help my wife & step-daughter stop smoking. I wish I knew how to turn back the clock to 1971, so as to help my Dad stop smoking & drinking, then maybe he would have lived past the age of 49. Yet, at 10 yrs old I certainly was not learned, or as you put it, erudite. Nor, do I claim to be all knowing at this stage in my life, either.

Again, my dislike towards the bad habit of smoking by medical professionals does not mean I dislike the person. Plus, just because I find the sight of an obese [does not mean overweight... big difference!] medical professional to be a pitiful sight does not mean I'm prejudice against such individuals. As medical professionals we should set the example of wellness. BTW, I never professed a favor towards a Ken & Barbie anorexic America... as you posted. Anorexia, IMHO is even more pitiful than obesity.

I certainly don't live a stress free life, either... as you posted. It was very stressful raising my two sons as a single parent while going thru my ST & ADN programs [now have a BSN]. My childhood was very stressful after my dad passed away. My mother had a serious drinking/smoking/mental problem to the point she attempted suicide numerous times, and came at me with a knife, and threw a brick at my car windshield when I was 16 yrs old. I could go on, although that would be TMI stuff. Anyway, I try to find other avenues in dealing with life's stessors than by over indulgence with food [to the point of obesity], smoking, and/or drinking alcohol [to the point of killing my liver].

Again, my dislike is not towards an individual, but towards an individuals unhealthy & dangerous habit.

[Spidey's mom]

I love the fact that smoking has been banned in CA in restaurants and bars and bowling alleys, etc. However I did not vote for the ban because I felt it was too much government instrusion into the personal lives of citizens. I know - sorta hypocritical.

Found a good article on this subject:

http://www.townhall.com/opinion/colu...30/177151.html

"Smoking can kill you. That's why I don't smoke, and it's why you shouldn't, either."

"There. I've just done the only things that should be done in a free society to stop people from smoking: I've told you that it's dangerous, I've urged you not to do it, and I've even set a good example. If you'd like other people to be healthy, you should also discourage smoking, too.
But if you'd like to be free, and you'd like your neighbor to be free, that's all you should do. . . . . . . . . ."

Expecting medical people to have more willpower than the average Joe is unfair.

steph

[HappyJaxRN]

Okay.......My dad is a cardiologist. He smoked for years. And he would tell his patients that they shouldn't smoke. After THEY got after him for smoking, he quit and then he started again. When my mother, who also smoked, became sick with emphysema, he went cold turkey. She continued to smoke until her transplant. She ended up with a lung transplant for her COPD and died a year after. He never restarted smoking. He has always been fit and trim.

I don't think his patient's took him serious when he was smoking and he told them not to smoke.

[chasBSN]

As a nurse, I feel it would be hypocritical. We tell our patients not to smoke and the dangers of smoking, but then we pick up a cigarette on our break and light up. Sounds silly to me. We need to set an example as healthcare professionals.

[spidermonkey]

I think that nurses are only human and smoking is an addiction- just b/c we know what it can do & have seen it firsthand doesn't make it any easier to quit. I don't smoke, but I did smoke 'socially' in college & gave it up in my 20's b/c to me it's nasty & smelly. They say cigarettes can be harder to quit than herion. I remember the day when docs would do rounds puffing on a pipe or cigar, & when we would sit at the desk smoking cigarettes & charting!! I'm just thankful that I don't have that addiction. I began smoking in college b/c I thought it looked "cool"! I spent hours in front of a mirror w/my room-mate trying to exhale so the smoke came out of my nose. Talk about stupid!!

[steelcityrn]

Smoking is horrible.......its stupid, expensive and dirty. The only thing worse than seeing any health care professional smoke is seeing a young person smoke.

[stpauligirl]

Originally Posted by ashleyh_84

Do you think it is ok if a nurse or a doctor smokes? Because i know when i go to the doctors office with my boyfriend and he tells him that he smokes that he gos on and on of how he shouldnt be smoking at all. But then we go outside and see nurses smoking and such!! So what do you guys think?

First off I understand how difficult it is to quit smoking. I quit 8 years ago and nicotine is very addictive!
I believe that health care professionals need to set good examples and it would be better if doctors and nurses wouldn't smoke.

[earle58]

i think smokers and non-smokers alike, know the dangers of this habit.
but as a smoker, i never try and present a pollyanna image to my patients.
i do not lecture them about smoking but merely remind them what they already know.
and although i am not overweight, it is not because i am trying to be consistent my my nsg image. i am an rn trying to do the best for my patients, and does not reflect upon my personal habits. i know plenty of colleagues that love their drink, have their own vices but still come to work and deliver competent and excellent care. i refuse to fall into anyone's image but am also careful not to be hypocritical in what i teach my pts.

leslie

[Nemhain]

Originally Posted by MLL

I couldn't care less if other nurses smoke or not - it IS an informed decision. Just don't expect me to watch your patients for you 5-6 times a day while you go out to "huff and puff".

I agree. While I am an occasional smoker, I never take smoke breaks at work. I like to come home crack open a beer and then have a cigarette or two... everything in moderation (even moderation...sometimes it's good to go hog-wild!!)