Smoking in the Paris Fire Brigade and Comparison According to the Type of Service (Permanent or On-call)

Tobacco use is one of the world's leading preventable causes of disease and premature death, and the physician has a central role in detecting smokers and helping them to quit.

Tobacco use in the military undermines fitness, readiness and performance, and increases health care costs.

A study conducted on a French Army contingent on external operations in Afghanistan have shown an increase in tobacco use in situation of operational constraints (stress, shift work, etc.). However, another study conducted in Ivory Coast on a mobile gendarmerie squadron showed no significant difference.

Among the American firefighters who have been exposed to the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, smoking have been shown to play an aggravating role in the recovery of lung function.

This study is aimed at assessing smoking prevalence in the Paris Fire Brigade, which is composed of young and healthy sportsmen and women who are exposed to strong operational constraints.