A Japanese doctor has apologised after saying that people should smoke themselves to an early death to save the country money on elderly care, according to his hospital. Skip related content
"It is clear that medical costs will increase if non-smoking spreads," the doctor said last week, according to Ida Hospital in Kawasaki City. "It's better that people smoke a lot and die early."
The man, whose name has been withheld, made the comment at a gathering of doctors, the hospital said.
"The hospital president has reprimanded him severely," said Tetsuya Yamamoto, a public relations official of the hospital.
"He said it was a careless remark and sincerely regrets it," the official said, adding that he was being sarcastic as the doctor is a smoker himself.
His comments angered activists.
"It was an outrageous remark that should not come from a doctor who is supposed to protect people's lives and health," Bungaku Watanabe, who heads an anti-smoking group, said in a statement.
Japan's overall smoking rate is declining.
The rate for men was 39.5 percent, still high among developed countries but half of the rate of four decades ago, according to a 2008 survey by Japan Tobacco Inc. The rate for women was 12.9 percent, down from 15 percent in 1968.
Several municipalities in central Tokyo and across Japan have banned smoking in public places except in designated areas.
Kawasaki City is located in Kanagawa prefecture, where authorities are studying whether to ban smoking in all bars, restaurants and other public places in what would be a first in the country.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20090312/thl-japanese-doctor-apologises-for-smoki-16acc9f.html
