The first battle in the war on tobacco needs to be fought among health professionals, who are a trusted source of information and advice for their patients and are therefore uniquely

qualified to encourage others to kick this deadly habit.

Yet the high number of health professionals who smoke can hinder efforts in this regard, which is why the World Health Organisation (WHO) has dedicated World No Tobacco Day this year to the important role they can play, under the banner 'Health Professionals Against Tobacco: Action and Answers'.

Studies cited by WHO reveal that even brief advice from medical professionals can increase tobacco abstinence rates by up to 30 percent, while nurse-led initiatives to quit smoking have up to a 50 percent greater chance of success.

Yet it is difficult for health professionals to encourage their patients to kick the smoking habit when they themselves are addicted.