Evaluation of a smoke-free workplace assistance program in Arkansas

The literature supporting tobacco free workplaces is clear: Employee smoking decreases worker productivity and increases worker absenteeism and employer costs. Policies that discourage smoking at work reduce the number of employees who smoke and the number of cigarettes smoked by employees who continue to smoke. The Arkansas Smoke-free Workplace Assistance Program (SWAP) assists workplaces in establishing policy options; preparing policy statements; establishing timelines for implementation; linking employees with cessation programs; communicating the smoke-free message to employees; managing the environment to encourage compliance; and enforcing the policy. From 10/1/2005-6/30/2006, SWAP assisted 36 worksites and affected the work environment of over 7440 employees. During this time, SWAP is estimated to have motivated 3.8% of smoking employees (n=71) to quit smoking resulting in an annual savings of $227,200 for Arkansas employers. Businesses who utilized SWAP are being contacted 12-months after the initial contact date and asked to evaluate the effectiveness of the services provided. Through 12/31/06, 8 facilities were eligible for the 12-month follow-up. Company representatives were asked to evaluate survey questions on a scale of 0 to 10 with 0 = “Poor” and 10 = “Excellent.” With an overall mean score of 9.2, the responses indicate that the facilities were very satisfied with the services provided. The facilities perceived the services and resources to be useful and relevant as well as key to stimulating further interest in tobacco cessation. This presentation will expand on the SWAP accomplishments and report detailed follow-up evaluation results for all 36 worksites.