The issue of smoking in the medical profession

The aim of this work was to map the extent of knowledge about active and passive smoking and its effects on human organism between paramedic employees of Emergency Medical Service in the Ústí nad Labem Region, coupled together with an evaluation of their interest in further education in this area. An absolute majority of questioned paramedics says that active smoking is very detrimental to overall health, but the question of passive smoking is not considered such a big issue among them. Lectures about smoking and its effects, realized at their workplaces, are not expected nor demanded. Theoretical part of this thesis gives an account of tobacco history, describes constituents of tobacco smoke and its effects on human organism. Furthermore this work deals with possible methods for quitting the smoking, possible prevention approaches and valid legislation in Czech Republic, dealing with the regulation of smoking. The final theoretical part of this work tries to define characteristics and possible dangers of employment at Emergency Medical Service. The practical part of this thesis was conducted through quantitative research, realized by questionnaires being distributed to different Emergency Medical Service stations, investigating attitudes and knowledge of Emergency Medical Service in Ústí nad..