My mom is an FP and smoked until 2 weeks ago (yea! I'm glad she quit). However, she started smoking in the 70's and didn't become a doctor until the 90's. I can see how it's been hard for her to quit. She also doesn't smoke in public, only at home. She's pretty conscious about her image for smoking as a doctor, which i commend.
Still, if I had to have surgery and met a kick-@ss surgeon prior to the operation while he was having a smoke, I don't think I would look for another surgeon.
It's about being human.
And, it's easy to judge because at this point, we're not doctors (except for beary) and haven't been through the rigorous training that makes you stressed. People are going to look for stress-coping behaviors. My brother didn't smoke until he became a nuke in the Navy. Talk about stressful job, and nowhere to relieve stress when you're on a nuclear sub with 100 men.
I'm sorry, and this is not directed at you ironman, but I have to laugh at some of the altruistic thinking patterns of a lot of pre-meds. It shows the lack of experience and wisdom as to what being a doctor is all about. Not only is it a happy place where you heal people and make the world better and la la la, but you also deal with death, reimbursement issues, budget cuts, licensure pains, and in the beginning just trying to keep your head above water so you don't drown.
Altruism isn't bad, but it has to be balanced with realism. And smoking and eating are facts of life when it comes to coping. No one "wants" to be fat or "wants" to look forward to emphysema or cancer. But at the same time, so one "wants" the crap thrown at them from the rooftop every day on the job. I'm not defending smoking or obesity in any way, but I do defend doctors because I know how it is to be stressed to the max in that job and even in my own job.
Ok, I'm done with my soapbox speech. Sorry if I sound like I'm ranting at you ironman, I'm not. I'm just shouting out in general.
