According to a study in JAMA, the number of RNs who smoke significantly declined from 2003 to 2010-2011 (from 11% to 7%, a 36% decline.) The 2010-2011 survey found that about 8% of healthcare professionals smoked, ranging from 2% among physicians to 25% among licensed practical nurses (the rate of current smoking among the general population is 16%). Read more.