Abstract

Over 15 years of age, % 43.6 of the population are smokers in Turkey. Nicotine dependence is not only due to psychologic but also physiologic and enviromental factors. The role of the physician in smoking cessation practice is the second important factor after the individual himself. But unfortunately both knowledge and willingness of the physcians do not seem adequate to influence their patients. This review is aimed to evaluate the attitudes of physicians towards the smoking habit, the currently used methods, conflicting points and practical advices to physicians in solving this problem after a short information about nicotine dependence and methods of cessation.