Smoking: Perspectives 1985

A consistent attitude of nonacceptance of the smoking habit with recommendations and support for discontinuation will result in increased public awareness and eventually in the majority rejecting this costly habit.

Abstract

The magnitude of the smoking problem is overwhelming. The annual mortality and expense are staggering. The task of changing this apocalyptic problem seems impossible. The solution, however, is not remote: It begins with each physician and with each individual patient who smokes. A consistent attitude of nonacceptance of the smoking habit with recommendations and support for discontinuation can make a significant impact on the problem. Extension of this attitude into community affairs and regional and national politics will result in increased public awareness and eventually in the majority rejecting this costly habit.