Canadian Doctor Tells Smokers-Butt Out or Get Out
Fri Mar 1, 5:27 PM ET

 

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Reuters) - A Canadian family physician has ordered his patients who smoke to butt out by Friday or find another doctor.

"Basically what I'm saying is, okay, time's up. Find another physician because I'm too frustrated in dealing with your smoking-related illness and you're not being a partner in your health care," Dr. Frederick Ross said in an interview with CBC television.

The Winnipeg doctor notified his 5,000 patients back in December that unless they quit smoking or at least try to kick the habit by March 1, he would stop treating them.

Ross said that about 30 of his patients had promised to quit while only a handful had asked to be transferred to another doctor.