In India, doctors are no less than God for ordinary citizens. They approach their men in white with a lot of reverence and hope. People’s illnesses may vary from a common cold to Cancer.

Cancer, one of its root causes being tobacco smoking is the act of burning the dried or cured leaves of the tobacco plant and inhaling the smoke for pleasure or ritualistic purposes, for self-medication, or out of habit and to satisfy addiction. Having explained the term ‘tobacco smoking’, is it a cause for concern that medical students who are future ‘heavenly’ doctors indulge in incessant smoking?

Yes, according to a survey that was conducted among students enrolled in various medical institutes in North India, showed that some of them are so addicted to puff away their worries that even when they are seriously ill they could not stop smoking.

The findings have surprised one and all in the medical fraternity, especially senior doctors who planned the study. Dr Randeep Guleria, professor in the medicine department at AIIMS, informed that the survey findings were a surprise for them. They never imagined that undergraduate, post graduate and interns smoke that much.

Isn’t it worrisome that the smoking brigade among future doctors is posing a real danger for the health of the people they will attend to, when becoming full-fledged professional doctors. These doctors may diagnose and treat patients for diseases as dangerous as cancer. The report of the survey has the potential to mislead people as their faith on the doctors will become debatable.

Can a chain-smoker being a doctor suggest a patient diagnosed with cancer due to tobacco smoking, to quit smoking when he cannot do it in the first place?

It is perhaps very important that these students along with finishing their courses, undergo rehabilitation to get over the smoking habit. The sooner the better!

Via: Hindustan Times