Declining rates of tobacco use in the Japanese medical profession, 1965-2009

Abstract

Background: Although there has been a downward trend in smoking rates among medical doctors in recent years, rates have been higher among Japanese doctors when compared internationally.

Methods: We extensively reviewed all published English- and Japanese-language articles that reported the smoking rates of Japanese doctors.

Results: A total of 36 articles were examined, most of which had been conducted as postal surveys, usually by a national, prefectural, or local medical association. Sample sizes ranged from 17 to 11 773, and response rates ranged from 33% to 91%. National surveys conducted between 1965 and 2009 suggest that there has been a statistically significant (P < 0.0001) decline in smoking rates among Japanese doctors (from around 68% to 16% among males and from 19% to 5% among females).

Conclusions: Overall, the published data reveal a significant decline in smoking rates among Japanese doctors since 1965, especially among men. Although less than one-fifth of Japanese male doctors now smoke, more work needs to be done in tobacco control to help further reduce the burden of smoking, especially in medical schools.

Figure 1.. Declining overall trend in smoking among Japanese doctors, 1965–2009

Figure 2.. Declining prevalence of smoking among Japanese doctors by sex, 1965–2009