A New Zealand cancer doctor has decided to take up smoking "as a protest against radiation therapists who are harming his patients with a series of strikes seeking pay hikes", Playfuls.com reports.

Chris Wynne, clinical director of radiation oncology at Christchurch Hospital, told The Press: "I've tried everything sensible, so now I am doing something stupid. Appealing to common sense hasn't solved these strikes."

The offending radiologists are threatening another three-day strike beginning on 9 January, which gives Wynne plenty of time to develop a full-blown nicotine habit. Campaigning organisation Action on Smoking and Health not unreasonably said that "every cigarette was harmful and urged Wynne to find another way to express his concern". ®

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