Recorded presentation

Susan Weisman, JD and Rebecca J. Mitchell, MPH. Tobacco Law Center, William Mitchell College of Law, 875 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105, 651-290-7516, sweisman@wmitchell.edu

Minnesota union members participated in focus groups to assess knowledge and perceptions about workplace exposure to secondhand smoke, tobacco’s health and economic impacts, access to cessation programs, and the desired role of unions in advocating for smoking restrictions and cessation coverage. Results showed that smokers and non-smokers often viewed secondhand smoke as more of a nuisance than a health and safety issue and that neither favored workplace exposure becoming a hot-button topic within their unions, preferring leaders to concentrate on maintaining members’ standards of living. Smokers often felt attacked or shamed for smoking, yet expressed strong desire for help in quitting smoking and supported efforts to increase access to cessation benefits. Results helped shape processes by which WorkSHIFTS, a labor outreach initiative that supports labor’s efforts to address tobacco-related issues, has formed partnerships with and built a strong base of support among blue-collar and service sector union leaders. By engaging unions in addressing workplace exposure, tobacco’s health and economic impact on workers, and workers’ need for help in quitting, public health advocates can reach union audiences — an important step in efforts to reduce smoking, chewing and exposure to secondhand smoke among blue-collar and service sector workers.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe how knowledge of union members’ views on smoking, cessation and exposure to secondhand smoke can facilitate outreach efforts
• Identify strategies to form successful partnerships between public health and union members/leaders
• Provide examples of partnership activities with unions that address tobacco-related issues

Keywords: Tobacco, Worksite

Related Web page: www.workshifts.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Tobacco Law Center, William Mitchell College of Law
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment

Recorded presentation