Skip to main content
Log in

Organizational factors affecting smoking at work: Results from focus group interviews with smokers and ex-smokers

  • Articles
  • Published:
Journal of Primary Prevention Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A theoretical model addressing worksite factors affecting health behaviors was applied to data from focus group interviews. Organizational factors that might have influenced implementation of restrictive smoking policies at two social welfare districts were identified. There was greater policy awareness at the district where active dissemination of information took place. However, greater policy awareness was not associated with patterns of on-the-job smoking or support for/barriers to quitting. Instead specific patterns associated with general organizational characteristics, job characteristics and work role stress emerged. Findings suggest that changes in policy formulation and application which take into account work itself and not only the worker are warranted.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Beiner, L. Abrams, D. B., Follick, M. J., Dean, L. (1989). A comparative evaluation of restrictive smoking policy in a general hospital. Am J Public Health 79:192–195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conway, T. L., Vickers, R. R., Ward, H. W., Rahe, R. H. (1981). Occupational stress and variation in cigarette, coffee and alcohol consumption. Journal of Health and Social Behavior 22 (6): 155–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cotton, T. J. et al. (1983). Effects of grain dust exposure and smoking on symptoms and lung function. J. Occup. Med. 25: 131–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Covey, L. S. & Wynder, E. L. (1981). Smoking habits and occupational status. J. Occup. Med. 23:531–542.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crutchfield, R. D. & Gove, W. R. (1984). Determinants of drug use a test of the coping hypothesis. Soc. Sci. Med. 18:503–509.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emont, S. L., Cummings, K. M. (1990). Organizational factors affecting participation in a smoking cessation program and abstinence among 68 auto dealers. Am. J. Health Promot. 5(2):107–114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emurian, H. H., Nelis, M. J. Brady, J. V. and Ray, R. L. (1982). Event time-series relationship between cigarette smoking and coffee drinking. Addict Behav. 7: 441–444.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fielding; J. E. (1991). Smoking control at the workplace. Annual Review of Public Health 12:209–234.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glasgow, R. E. (1989). Assessment of smoking behavior in relation to worksite smoking policies. NY State J. Med. 89(1):31–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Golding, J. F. & Mangan, G. L. (1982). Effects of cigarette smoking on measures of arousal response suppression and excitation/inhibition balance. Int. J. Addict. 17: 793–804.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gottlieb, N. H., Lovato, C. Y., Weinstein, R., Green, L. W., Eriksen, M. P. (1992). The implementation of a restrictive worksite smoking policy in a large decentralized organization. Health Education Quarterly 19(1): 77–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, N. & Jenkins, G. D. (1984). Substance use as an employee response to the work environment. Journal of Vocational Behavior 24:84–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatch, J. P., Biener, S. M. and Fischer, J. G. (1983). The effects of smoking and cigarette nicotine content on smokers' preparation and performance of psychosocially stressful tasks. J. Behav. Med. 6: 207–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurt, R. D., Berge, K. G., Offord, K. P. et al. (1989) The making of a smoking-free medical center. JAMA 261(1):95–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kruegar, R. A. (1989). Focus groups — a practical guide for applied research, Sage Publications, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • LaRocco, J. M., House, J. S., French, J. R. P jr. (1980). Social support, occupational stress, and health. Journal of Health and Social Behavior 21:202–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levi, L., Frankenhaeuser, M., Gardell, B. (1981). Report on work stress related to social structures and processes. In: Elliot, G. R. & Eisendorf, C (eds) Research on Stress and Human Health. Springer Publishers. New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minkler, M. (1990). Improving health through community organization In: Glanz, K., Lewis E. M., Rimer, B. K. (eds) Health behavior and health education. Jossey-Bass Publishers, San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, D. L. (1988). Focus groups as qualitative research, Qualitative Research Methods Series 16. A Sage Publication, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nellis, M. J., Emurian, H. H., Brady, J. V. and Ray, R. L. (1982). Behavior and analysis of cigarette smoking. Pavlovian J. Biol. Sci. 17:140–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orleans, C. S. and Shipley, R. H. (1982). Worksite smoking cessation initiatives: review and recommendations. Addict Behav. 7:1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearle, J. L. (1982). Smoking and duration of asbestos exposure in the production of functional and roentgenographic abnormalities in shipyard workers. J. Occup. Med. 24:37–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pucci, L. G. (1991). Implementing restrictive smoking policies and smoking behavior at places of employment — commentary on current evidence. European Journal of Public Health 1:105–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pucci, L. G., Haglund, B. J. A. (1992a). Focus groups: a tool for developing better health education materials and approaches for smoking intervention. Health Promotion International 7(1): 11–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pucci, L. G. Haglund, B. J. A. (1992b). Restricting smoking at places of employment — program evaluation at two social welfare districts. (Submitted for publication).

  • Rigotti, N. A., Hill Pilk, B., Cleary, P., Singer D. T., Mulley, A. G. (1986). The impact of banning smoking on a hospital ward. Clinical Research 34(2):833A.

  • Rosen, M., Wall, S., Hanning, M., Lindberg, G., Nyström, L. (1987). Smoking habits and their confounding effects among occupational groups in Sweden. Scand J. Soc. Med. 15:233–240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenstock, I. M., Stergachis, A., Heany, C. (1986). Evaluation of smoking prohibition policy in a health maintenance organization. Am. J. Pub. Health (Public Health Briefs) 76 1014–1015.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rökfritt ar naturligt Naturally smoke free (author's translation) — en information från hälsooch miljöpolitiska enheten -Personal och organisations Förvaltning, (1988). Stockholm (in Swedish).

  • Schiling, R. F. III, Gilchrist, L. D., Schinke, S. P. (1985). Smoking in the workplace — review of critical issues. Public Health Rep 100:473–477.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sorensen, G., Pachacek, T. and Pallonen, M. (1986). Occupational and worksite norms and attitudes about smoking cessation. AJPH 76(5): 544–549.

    Google Scholar 

  • Theorell, T. (1989). Personal control at work and health: a review of epidemiological studies in Sweden. In: Steptoe, A & Appels, A. (eds) Stress, Personal Control and Health. Wiley.

  • Taveira Da Silva, A. M. & Hamosh, P. (1982). Effect of smoking a cigarette on the density dependence of maximal expiratory flow. Respiration 43: 258–263.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waldron, I. and Lye D. (1989). Employment, unemployment, occupation and smoking. Am. J. Prev. Med. 5(3): 142–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weinstein, M. S. (1989). Lifestyle, stress and work: strategies for health promotion. In: Federal Centre for Health Education (ed.) Health Promotion in the Working World. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pucci, L.G., Haglund, B.J.A. Organizational factors affecting smoking at work: Results from focus group interviews with smokers and ex-smokers. J Primary Prevent 14, 115–127 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01325554

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01325554

Key words

Navigation