Dutch doctor refuses to treat smokers

A doctor in the Netherlands who has said that he will refuse to treat smokers has been warned by the government supervisory body that it is unacceptable to exclude patients on the basis of their behaviour.

The Health Care Inspectorate wrote to Dr Cees van Bunningen saying that when a doctor offers a public service it should be available to everyone. The inspectorate has warned that it will ask him to explain his actions if …