196486 Public Perceptions of Smoking in the Workplace

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Jessica Barry , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Jennifer Kneppar , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Timothy Salib , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Jonothan Severy , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Bennett Shapiro , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Kathryn Skelly , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Kara Tweady , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Rebecca Ryan , American Lung Association of Vermont, Williston, VT
Gerald Davis, MD , Pulmonary Division, Department of Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Jan K. Carney, MD MPH , Department of Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Introduction. Health policy legislation is an integral part of ensuring public safety. In the American Lung Association's effort to ban workplace smoking, clear evidence from the constituency must exist. Current Vermont law states, “Employers may designate up to 30% of an employee cafeteria or lounge as a smoking area, and 75% of the employees in the designated areas agree to allow smoking.” Information concerning attitudes toward workplace smoking is essential to making legislative decisions that affect the entire Vermont population.

Methods. We contacted a total of 15 companies, 13 of which had a self-reported smoking room; a telecommunications company, a food distributor, and 30 individuals representing other companies participated. A 23 question survey was distributed to evaluate the participant's behaviors and attitudes about workplace smoking; 65 questionnaires were completed.

Results:

35% believe that smoking should not be allowed in the workplace.

60% feel that smoking should be allowed outside, of which 49% grew up in a home where others smoked.

100% of smokers believe it would be difficult to cope if they could not smoke during working hours.

Discussion. The health policy initiative by the ALA is likely to receive some resistance in the Vermont legislature; only 35% of those surveyed supported an all inclusive ban. However, smoking at specific distances away from doors was not addressed by our study. Information from this and similar studies will help in developing policies to reduce exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and promote workplace health.

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss the importance of worksite smoking laws to protect workers. 2. List barriers to reducing smoking in worksites. 3. Formulate strategies to eliminate indoor smoking in workplaces.

Keywords: Smoking, Worksite

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Involved in all aspects of project: design and implementation, analysis and/or interpretation, critical review, writing, presentation. Experience presenting at a poster session at the UVM College of Medicine.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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