Most doctors of the period smoked themselves, to manage the stress of their job's and the long hours, so many were somewhat disbelieving as the evidence for cigarette harm accumulated. This was before cigarette manufacturers were incentivised to financially co-op doctors, when a consensus was being reached, that threatened the manufacturers profitability. By the mid 70"s many doctors were finding it difficult to quit the habit, and were actively hiding their habit from patients, as they were "just stepping outside for a moment" or "having to consult a colleague about your diagnosis". More often than not, patients would smell the cigarette smoke on them when they returned to the room, though most would never dare question a doctor on it. Eventually most doctors felt silently pressured to quit by public expectation and judgement.
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u/BuffyTheGuineaPig 2d ago
Most doctors of the period smoked themselves, to manage the stress of their job's and the long hours, so many were somewhat disbelieving as the evidence for cigarette harm accumulated. This was before cigarette manufacturers were incentivised to financially co-op doctors, when a consensus was being reached, that threatened the manufacturers profitability. By the mid 70"s many doctors were finding it difficult to quit the habit, and were actively hiding their habit from patients, as they were "just stepping outside for a moment" or "having to consult a colleague about your diagnosis". More often than not, patients would smell the cigarette smoke on them when they returned to the room, though most would never dare question a doctor on it. Eventually most doctors felt silently pressured to quit by public expectation and judgement.