Worksite smoking control activities: Prevalence and related worksite characteristics from the COMMIT study, 1990

doi:10.1016/0091-7435(92)90076-T

Preventive Medicine

Volume 21, Issue 6, November 1992, Pages 688-700

https://doi.org/10.1016/0091-7435(92)90076-T Get rights and content

Abstract

Background. There is a pressing need for current information on worksite smoking policies and stop-smoking activities. To address these needs and identify worksite characteristics associated with such activities, a computer-assisted telephone interview was administered to 793 worksites having at least 50 employees.

Methods. Within each of the 11 COMMIT intervention communities, attempts were made to survey 30 worksites within each of three size strata: 50-99 employees, 100-249 employees, and 250+ employees. Response to the survey was good, with a screening rate of 95% and a response rate of 90%.

Results. Overall, 69% of responding worksites reported having written smoking policies, but only 15% banned all indoor smoking. Smaller worksites and manufacturing and wholesale/retail companies were less likely than other organizations to be smoke-free or have representatives attend smoking policy workshops. Thirty-five percent of worksites reported offering smoking cessation resources or assistance for employees, but only 20% offered both cessation resources and restrictive or smoke-free policies. Smaller worksites as well as wholesale/retail sales and manufacturing worksites were less likely to offer cessation resources or to participate in community wide stop-smoking events.

Conclusion. Although the level of worksite smoking control activities was higher than that reported in earlier surveys, there is still a substantial need to increase the level of such activities, especially at smaller worksites and in manufacturing and sales organizations.

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Background.In Canada, with universal single-payer health care insurance and a lower proportion of the gross domestic product going to health care costs, employers may be less motivated than their U.S. counterparts to develop health promotion programs for their employees. This study determined the extent to which nongovernmental workplaces in Canada have made smoking-related information, policies, and programs available to their employees. Several characteristics of those workplaces most likely to have engaged in such activities were identified.
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Background.As an important aspect of the COMMIT trial, worksite smoking-control consultations and supports were provided to employers in 11 diverse, moderate-sized communities. After a 4-year intervention period (1989–1992), impacts on worksite policies, support resources for smokers, and employee perceptions were assessed in these communities and in 11 matched Comparison communities.Methods.Data from two surveys are reported here. In each of the 22 COMMIT communities, a sample of worksites within each of four size strata were surveyed to determine worksite policies, activities, and resources regarding smoking. Data from employees were obtained from independent community-wide surveys of community residents.Results.Overall, 44% of the worksites surveyed reported having smokefree policies, with no differences between Intervention and Comparison communities. Thirty-seven percent of Intervention community worksites reported offering smoking cessation resources or assistance for employees during the period of the study, compared to 31% of Comparison community worksites (P= 0.04). Employees in Intervention communities, relative to those in Comparison communities, reported greater awareness of stop-smoking resources, but equivalent increases in worksite smoking bans.Conclusion.Although the level of worksite smoking-cessation activities was higher in Intervention than in Comparison communities, there remains a substantial need to increase the level of such activities and to integrate such activities with restrictive smoking policies.
The Working Well Trial: Baseline Dietary and Smoking Behaviors of Employees and Related Worksite Characteristics
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Worksite smoking control activities: Prevalence and related worksite characteristics from the COMMIT study, 1990

Abstract

Prev Med

Public attitudes regarding limits on public smoking and regulation of tobacco sales and advertising: 10 U.S. communities, 1989

Morbid Mortal Wkly Rep

Public attitudes regarding limits on public smoking and regulation of tobacco sales and advertising: 10 U.S. communities, 1989

Morbid Mortal Wkly Rep

The Health Consequences of Involuntary Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General

Trends in the adoption of smoking restrictions in public places and worksites

NY State J Med

Worksite smoking cessation: A meta-analysis of quit rates from controlled studies

J Occup Med

The Health Consequences of Smoking: Cancer and Chronic Lung Disease in the Workplace—A Report of the Surgeon General

Environmental Tobacco Smoke in the Workplace: Lung Cancer and Other Health Effects

Current Intelligence Bulletin

Passive smoking and heart disease: Epidemiology, physiology, and biochemistry

Circulation

The Community Intervention Trial of Smoking Cessation (COMMIT): Summary of design and intervention

J Natl Cancer Inst