There is a lack of studies evaluating the prevalence of smoking habit among Polish priests. Due to difficulties in receiving permission from catholic authorities to perform questionnaire study we attempted to assess the prevalence of cigarette smoking among priests from one religious congregation. The aim of the study was also to analyze factors influencing smoking habits in this group. The anonymous questionnaire was sent to all Polish Pallotins and students of Pallotin Seminary in Ołtarzew. Only one fourth of them--138 subjects in the age from 20 to 92 yrs (mean age 37.7 yrs)--answered the questionnaire. Among them were 72 priests aged 27-92 yrs. (mean age 50.7 yrs) and 66 students in the age 20-41 yrs (mean age 23.7 yrs.). The rate of current smokers among priests was 13.9%, including 11.1% of daily smokers and 2.8% occasional smokers. The rates of daily and occasional smokers among Seminary students were 4.5% and 6.1%, respectively. Cigarette smoking in the past was reported by 26,4% of priests--8.3% of them had smoked daily, remaining subjects had smoked occasionally. Most of responders considered the fifth commandment of the Decalogue as sufficient reason for abstaining from cigarette smoking. The majority of current smokers attempted to stop smoking, mainly because of wholesome reasons. Near a half of smoking priests and over three fourth of smoking students felt embarrassed to smoke in company of laymen. Every tenth priest and every third student hide his smoking habit from other priests. The study showed low prevalence of cigarette smoking in priests, what resulted mainly from religious reasons.