The Chinese government is cracking down on smoking–among one of its most heavily using populations: physicians. Yes, according to Reuters, more than 50% of China’s male MDs smoke cigarettes. Now the government is asking them to set an example for their patients by kicking the habit.

While this is only a recommendation–it is certainly a reasonable and informed one. Physicians are role models and, especially if they were to do so publicly and to discuss it with their patients, their quitting tobacco would certainly impact at least some of their patient population. Physicians who smoke, while they certainly have the right to engage in whatever healthy (or unhealthy) behaviors they wish, are something like a personal trainer who is 100 pounds overweight. Sure they can dispense the advice, but if they can’t walk the walk–do they really know what they are talking about?

It’s time for Chinese physicians to get on the public health bandwagon and kick the habit with their patients. It will improve that nation’s health overall and send the right message across the board.

Summer Johnson, PhD