Smoke-free Workplace Policies Research Articles

Public support for smoke-free private indoor and public outdoor areas in the Netherlands: A trend analysis from 2018-2022.

In addition to smoke-free policies in indoor public and workplaces, governments increasingly implement smoke-free policies at beaches, in parks, playgrounds and private cars ('novel smoke-free policies'). An important element in the implementation of such policies is public support. In the context of the ambition of the Netherlands to reach a smoke-free generation by 2040, we investigated temporal changes in public support for novel smoke-free policies. We analyzed annual cross-sectional questionnaires in a representative sample of the Dutch population from 2018 to 2022. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to model public support for each smoke-free policy area as a function of time (calendar year), smoking status, gender, and socioeconomic status. Interaction terms were added for time with smoking status and with socioeconomic status. A total of 5582 participant responses were included. Between 2018 and 2022, support increased most for smoke-free policies regarding train platforms (+16%), theme parks (+12%), beaches (+10%), and terraces (+10%). In 2022, average support was higher than 65% for all categories of smoke-free places and highest for private cars with children (91%). Regression analyses indicated significant increases in support over time within each category of smoke-free places (adjusted odds ratio, AOR between 1.09 and 1.17 per year), except smoke-free private cars with children (AOR=0.97; 95% CI: 0.89-1.05). Regardless of smoking status, support was high for places where children often go. Support for novel smoke-free places in the Netherlands is high and increasing, in particular for places frequented by children. This indicates the potential to implement such measures in the Netherlands.

Artificial neural network machine learning prediction of the smoking behavior and health risks perception of Indonesian health professionals.

Health professionals (HPs) can play an important role in influencing the smoking behavior of their patients and the implementation of smoke-free workplace policies. In some countries physicians and dentists may not have a no-smoking policy in place. Breathing in other people's tobacco smoke (second-hand smokers) increase the risk of smoking related diseases. Environmental Tobacco smoke ETS causes a similar range of diseases to active smoking, including various cancers, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory diseases. Little is known about the smoking-related attitudes and clinical practices of HPs in Indonesia. Evidence suggests that high smoking rates remain among male HPs; however, the risk perceptions and attitudes to smoking among Indonesian HPs have not been investigated using prediction model artificial neural networks. For this reason, we developed and validated an artificial neural network (ANN) to identify HPs with smoking behavior. The study population consisted of 240 HPs, including 108 (45%) physicians, and 132 (55%) dentists, with more female (n=159) than male participants (n=81) for both professions. Participants were randomly divided into two sets, the training (192) and test (48) sets. The input variables included gender, profession (doctor or dentist), knowledge regarding smoking-related diseases and awareness of smoking provided to their patients, smoke-free policy in place at their workplace, and smoking status. ANN was constructed with data from the training and selection sets and validated in the test set. The performance of ANN was simultaneously evaluated by discrimination and calibration. After the training, we completed the process using the test dataset with a multilayer perceptron network, determined by 36 input variables. Our results suggested that our final ANN concurrently had good precision (89%), accuracy (81%), sensitivity (85%), and area under the curve (AUC; 70%). ANN can be used as a promising tool for the prediction of smoking status based on health risk perceptions of HPs in Indonesia.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Mortality by Industry and Occupation — United States, 2020

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive lung disease, is characterized by long-term respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation (1). COPD accounts for most of the deaths from chronic lower respiratory diseases, the sixth leading cause of death in the United States in 2020.* Workplace exposures and tobacco smoking are risk factors for COPD; however, one in four workers with COPD have never smoked (2-4). To describe COPD mortality among U.S. residents aged ≥15 years categorized as ever-employed (i.e., with information on their usual industry and occupation), CDC analyzed the most recent 2020 multiple cause-of-death data† from 46 states and New York City.§ Among 3,077,127 decedents, 316,023 (10.3%) had COPD¶ listed on the death certificate. The highest age-adjusted** COPD death rates per 100,000 ever-employed persons were for females (101.3), White persons (116.9), and non-Hispanic or Latino (non-Hispanic) persons (115.8). The highest proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs)†† were for workers employed in the mining industry (1.3) and in food preparation and serving related occupations (1.3). Elevated COPD mortality among workers in certain industries and occupations underscores the importance of targeted interventions (e.g., reduction or elimination of COPD-associated risk factors, engineering controls, and workplace smoke-free policies) to prevent COPD from developing and to intervene before illness becomes symptomatic or severe.

The implementation of smoke-free workplace policy and the determinants affecting indoor smoking in Indonesia.

A smoke-free workplace is important to reduce secondhand smoke exposure, raise awareness, encourage smoking cessation, and increase productivity. This study aimed to assess indoor smoking in the workplace as part of a smoke-free policy implementation and the factors associated. This was a cross-sectional study at workplaces in Indonesia from October 2019 to January 2020. The workplaces were divided into private workplaces owned by a company for business and government workplaces that run for public services. Samples were selected using stratified random sampling. Data collection follows time and area observation guidelines, starting in the indoor area and then outdoor. The observation was conducted for at least 20 min for each workplace in 41 districts/cities. Of the 2900 observed workplaces, 1097 (37.8%) were private and 1803 (62.92%) were government workplaces. The proportion of indoor smoking at government workplaces was 34.7%, higher compared to private (14.4%). The results were consistent for each indicator such as people smoking (14.7% vs. 4.5%), electronic cigarette use (0.7% vs. 0.4%), cigarette butts presence (25.8% vs. 9.5%), and smell of cigarette smoke (23.0% vs. 8.6%). The factors associated with indoor smoking were indoor ashtray availability (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =13.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.6-17.5), indoor designated smoking area (AOR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.4-4.0), presence of indoor tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorships (AOR: 3.3; 95% CI: 1.3-8.89), whereas the presence of no smoking sign was a preventive factor (AOR = 0.6; 95% CI: 0.5-0.8). Indoor smoking remains high, particularly in government workplaces in Indonesia.

The association of workplace smoke-free policies on individual smoking and quitting-related behaviours

BackgroundOur study aims to provide information about workplace smoke-free (SF) policy coverage in mainland China and to assess the relationship between workplace SF policies and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure, current smoking, smoking harm awareness and quitting intention among smokers.MethodData from the 2018 Asia Best Workplace Mainland China programme were used to address these aims. This cross-sectional study included 14,195 employees from the 2018 survey and 14,953 employees from the 2019 survey. Logistic regression with year-fixed effects was applied to these data. The dependent variables were SHS exposure, smoking or smoking harm awareness. The explanatory variable was the SF workplace policy.ResultsA total of 21,275 participants (73.0%) reported working under SF policies. The overall prevalence of smoking and SHS exposure were 20.3% and 52.5%, respectively. The workplace SF policy was significantly associated with lower SHS exposure (OR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.45–0.51), lower current smoking employees (OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.76–0.87) and higher awareness of smoking harm (OR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.61–1.91). However, workplace SF policy was not significantly associated with quitting intention (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.84–1.16).ConclusionOur study identified that although most companies had established workplace SF policies, the overall prevalence of SHS exposure remained very high. Workplace SF policy is associated with lower SHS exposure, lower overall current smoking and higher awareness of smoking harm. These findings provide valuable evidence to promote such policies in all workplaces.

Small-Area Estimation of Smoke-Free Workplace Policies and Home Rules in US Counties.

The workplace and home are sources of exposure to secondhand smoke, a serious health hazard for nonsmoking adults and children. Smoke-free workplace policies and home rules protect nonsmoking individuals from secondhand smoke and help individuals who smoke to quit smoking. However, estimated population coverages of smoke-free workplace policies and home rules are not typically available at small geographic levels such as counties. Model-based small-area estimation techniques are needed to produce such estimates. Self-reported smoke-free workplace policies and home rules data came from the 2014-2015 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey. County-level design-based estimates of the two measures were computed and linked to county-level relevant covariates obtained from external sources. Hierarchical Bayesian models were then built and implemented through Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods. Model-based estimates of smoke-free workplace policies and home rules were produced for 3134 (of 3143) US counties. In 2014-2015, nearly 80% of US adult workers were covered by smoke-free workplace policies, and more than 85% of US adults were covered by smoke-free home rules. We found large variations within and between states in the coverage of smoke-free workplace policies and home rules. The small-area modeling approach efficiently reduced the variability that was attributable to small sample size in the direct estimates for counties with data and predicted estimates for counties without data by borrowing strength from covariates and other counties with similar profiles. The county-level modeled estimates can serve as a useful resource for tobacco control research and intervention. Detailed county- and state-level estimates of smoke-free workplace policies and home rules can help identify coverage disparities and differential impact of smoke-free legislation and related social norms. Moreover, this estimation framework can be useful for modeling different tobacco control variables and applied elsewhere, for example, to other behavioral, policy, or health related topics.

Alcohol drinking as a mediator of the influence of smoking prevalence on second-hand smoke exposure in workplaces: a mediation analysis

ObjectiveBoth alcohol drinking and second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure have shown a strong association with smoking behaviour. This study uses mediation analysis to clarify the process underlying the relationship between smoking prevalence and SHS exposure and the extent to which this relationship is mediated by alcohol use in the workplace.MethodA total of 14,195 employees from 81 companies in China participated in this survey. Mediation analysis was used to establish the mediation effect of alcohol drinking. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to evaluate the role of alcohol drinking when a smoke-free (SF) workplace policy was imposed.ResultsFor males, approximately 6.3% of the effects on SHS exposure were mediated through the channel of alcohol use. For females, this channel mediated 14.1% of the total effects. SF policy was negatively associated with smoking prevalence and SHS exposure. The indirect effect of the SF policy on reducing SHS exposure by controlling smoking behaviour was significant. For smokers, worksite smoking bans were negatively associated with the smoking amount and drinking behaviour, and the indirect effect of this policy on promoting smokers’ intention to quit by reducing the smoking amount and controlling drinking behaviour was significant.ConclusionThis study confirmed that alcohol drinking is among the channels that mediate the association between smoking prevalence and SHS exposure in workplaces. Our results also find a spillover effect of SF workplace policy and call for effective interventions for alcohol use, which may influence the outcomes of SF policy implementation.

The Effects of Smoke-Free Workplace Policies on Individual Smoking Behaviors in China.

Studies have shown that smoke-free (SF) workplace policies can create an SF environment, but most of them have focused only on reducing secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure or changing smoking behavior. Our study aims to explore the effects of SF workplace policies and the pathway between workplace SF policies and SHS exposure. 14 195 employees from 79 companies in China participated in this survey. Binary logistic regression is used to examine the direct effects of SF workplace policies. Structured Equation Modeling approach is used to test other indirect effects. The Sobel test is used to estimate the mediation effect. Working in a company with SF policies was associated with lower SHS exposure (odds ratio = 0.56; 95% confidence interval = 0.51 to 0.60). Such policy were associated with lower smoking prevalence (Coef. = -0.05, p < .05) and positively associated with smoking harm awareness (Coef. = 0.07, p < .05) and SHS harm awareness (Coef. = 0.05, p < .05). Sobel test suggests that approximately 16.3% of the effects on SHS exposure reduction are mediated through the channel of lower smoking prevalence for males. For smokers, we did not identify a direct effect of such policies on quitting intentions, but a significant indirect effect via increased smoking harm awareness (Coef. = 0.07, p < .05) and lower smoking consumption (Coef. = -0.10, p < .05) were found. This study finds that SF workplace policies are not only associated with lower SHS exposure but also related to some indirect effects. Further mediation analyses for males confirmed that the effect on SHS exposure reduction is mediated through the channel of lower smoking prevalence. This study joins the debate in recent years on the effects of workplace SF policies and provides evidence with more comprehensive data from Asia Best Workplace Mainland China program. It shows that SF workplace policies not only can reduce SHS exposure but also are associated with lower smoking prevalence, fewer cigarettes smoked, and higher smoking harm-related awareness. These findings provide valuable evidence to promote such policies in all workplaces and underline the need for more stringent SF policies to be enacted in all countries.

Mortality Among Persons with Both Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Aged ≥25 Years, by Industry and Occupation - United States, 1999-2016.

Patients with asthma typically have chronic airway inflammation, variable airflow limitation, and intermittent respiratory symptoms; patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often have fixed airflow limitation and persistent respiratory symptoms. Some patients exhibit features suggesting that they have both conditions, which is termed asthma-COPD overlap. These patients have been reported to have worse health outcomes than do those with asthma or COPD alone (1). To describe mortality among persons aged ≥25 years with asthma-COPD overlap, CDC analyzed 1999-2016 National Vital Statistics multiple-cause-of-death mortality data* extracted from the National Occupational Mortality System (NOMS), which included industry and occupation† information collected from 26 states§ for the years 1999, 2003, 2004, and 2007-2014. Age-adjusted death rates per one million persons¶ and proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs)** were calculated. During 1999-2016, 6,738 male decedents (age-adjusted rate per million=4.30) and 12,028 female decedents (5.59) had both asthma and COPD assigned on their death certificate as the underlying or contributing cause of death. The annual age-adjusted death rate per million among decedents with asthma-COPD overlap declined from 6.70 in 1999 to 3.01 in 2016 (p<0.05) for men and from 7.71 in 1999 to 4.01 in 2016 (p<0.05) for women. Among adults aged 25-64 years, asthma-COPD overlap PMRs, by industry, were significantly elevated among nonpaid workers, nonworkers, and persons working at home for both men (1.72) and women (1.40) and among male food, beverage, and tobacco products workers (2.64). By occupation, asthma-COPD overlap PMRs were significantly elevated among both men (1.98) and women (1.79) who were unemployed, had never worked, or were disabled workers and among women bartenders (3.28) and homemakers (1.34). The association between asthma-COPD overlap mortality and nonworking status among adults aged 25-64 years suggests that asthma-COPD overlap might be associated with substantial morbidity. Increased risk for asthma-COPD overlap mortality among adults in certain industries and occupations suggests targets for public health interventions (e.g., elimination of or removal from exposures, engineering controls, and workplace smoke-free policies) to prevent asthma and COPD in and out of the workplace.

Workplace smoke-free policies that allow heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes use are associated with use of both these products and conventional tobacco smoking: the 2018 JASTIS study

ObjectivesHeated tobacco products (HTPs) and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are rapidly gaining popularity, especially in Japan. However, at the time of the survey (2018), there was no national legislation banning HTPs...

Smoke-Free Policies and Smoking Cessation in the United States, 2003-2015.

(1) Background: Smoking restrictions have been shown to be associated with reduced smoking, but there are a number of gaps in the literature surrounding the relationship between smoke-free policies and cessation, including the extent to which this association may be modified by sociodemographic characteristics. (2) Methods: We analyzed data from the Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey, 2003–2015, to explore whether multiple measures of smoking restrictions were associated with cessation across population subgroups. We examined area-based measures of exposure to smoke-free laws, as well as self-reported exposure to workplace smoke-free policies. We used age-stratified, fixed effects logistic regression models to assess the impact of each smoke-free measure on 90-day cessation. Effect modification by gender, education, family income, and race/ethnicity was examined using interaction terms. (3) Results: Coverage by workplace smoke-free laws and self-reported workplace smoke-free policies was associated with higher odds of cessation among respondents ages 40–54. Family income modified the association between smoke-free workplace laws and cessation for women ages 25–39 (the change in the probability of cessation associated with coverage was most pronounced among lower-income women). (4) Conclusions: Heterogeneous associations between policies and cessation suggest that smoke-free policies may have important implications for health equity.

Short- and Long-Term Effects of a Tobacco-Free Executive Order on Employee Tobacco Use.

Smoke-free workplace policies encourage cessation, reduce tobacco consumption, and shift the pro-tobacco norm. However, no research exists evaluating the impact of mandated tobacco-free policies on government property. The purpose of our study was to examine short- and long-term effects of a tobacco-free policy (executive order 2014-747) implemented in November 2014, prohibiting tobacco use on state executive property. Cross-sectional online surveys were administered at two time points to a total of 27,000 employees of the executive branch of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The short-term evaluation (March 2015) comprised 4,170 employees and the long term (August 2015) included 3,070. Tobacco use, plans to quit using tobacco, personal characteristics, whether the county of their workplace was covered by a smoke-free policy, and social norms for tobacco use were assessed 4- and 9-month post-policy implementation. Current tobacco use and plans to quit were compared between short- and long-term evaluations using multiple logistic regression with relevant covariates included. Controlling for demographics and employment location, employees reported lower rates of tobacco use and higher rates of planning to quit in the long term than in the short term. Tobacco-free policies reduce tobacco use prevalence and promote plans to quit, particularly over time. We found differences in tobacco use prevalence and plans to quit using tobacco products from 4 to 9 months after the policy took effect, as reported by employees following implementation of the tobacco-free policy. These findings support the potential for avoiding long-term health care costs as a result of reduced tobacco use from these policies. Nurses can play an important advocacy and policy evaluation role to promote and assess the impact of tobacco-free policies.

Workplace Smoke-Free Policies and Cessation Programs Among U.S. Working Adults

Workplace tobacco control interventions reduce smoking and secondhand smoke exposure among U.S. workers. Data on smoke-free workplace policy coverage and cessation programs by industry and occupation are limited. This study assessed smoke-free workplace policies and employer-offered cessation programs among U.S. workers, by industry and occupation. Data from the 2014-2015 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey, a random sample of the civilian, non-institutionalized population, were analyzed in 2018. Self-reported smoke-free policy coverage and employer-offered cessation programs were assessed among working adults aged ≥18 years, overall and by occupation and industry. Respondents were considered to have a 100% smoke-free policy if they indicated smoking was not permitted in any indoor areas of their workplace, and to have a cessation program if their employer offered any stop-smoking program within the past year. Overall, 80.3% of indoor workers reported having smoke-free policies at their workplace and 27.2% had cessation programs. Smoke-free policy coverage was highest among workers in the education services (90.6%) industry and lowest among workers in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting industry (64.1%). Employer-offered cessation programs were significantly higher among workers reporting 100% smoke-free workplace policies (30.9%) than those with partial/no policies (23.3%) and were significantly higher among indoor workers (29.2%) than outdoor workers (15.0%). Among U.S. workers, 100% smoke-free policy and cessation program coverage varies by industry and occupation. Lower smoke-free policy coverage and higher tobacco use in certain industry and occupation groups suggests opportunities for workplace tobacco control interventions to reduce tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure.

Longitudinal Associations of Smoke-Free Policies and Incident Cardiovascular Disease: CARDIA Study.

Smoke-free legislation has been associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease hospital admissions in ecological studies. However, prior studies lacked detailed information on individual-level factors (eg, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics) that could potentially confound associations. Our objective was to estimate associations of smoke-free policies with incident cardiovascular disease in a longitudinal cohort after controlling for sociodemographics, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and policy covariates. Longitudinal data from 3783 black and white adults in the CARDIA study (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults; 1995-2015) were linked to state, county, and local 100% smoke-free policies in bars, restaurants, and nonhospitality workplaces by Census tract. Extended Cox regression estimated hazard ratios (HRs) of incident cardiovascular disease associated with time-dependent smoke-free policy exposures. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, cardiovascular disease risk factors, state cigarette tax, participant-reported presence of a smoking ban at their workplace, field center, and metropolitan statistical area poverty. During a median follow-up of 20 years (68 332 total person-years), 172 participants had an incident cardiovascular disease event (2.5 per 1000 person-years). Over the follow-up period, 80% of participants lived in areas with smoke-free policies in restaurants, 67% in bars, and 65% in nonhospitality workplaces. In fully adjusted models, participants living in an area with a restaurant, bar, or workplace smoke-free policy had a lower risk of incident cardiovascular disease compared with those in areas without smoke-free policies (HR, 0.75, 95% confidence interval, 0.49-1.15; HR, 0.76, 95% confidence interval, 0.47-1.24; HR, 0.54, 95% confidence interval, 0.34-0.86, respectively; HR, 0.58, 95% confidence interval, 0.33-1.00 for living in an area with all 3 types of policies compared with none). The estimated preventive fraction was 25% for restaurant policies, 24% for bar policies, and 46% for workplace policies. Consistent with prior ecological studies, these individual-based data add to the evidence that 100% smoke-free policies are associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease among middle-aged adults.

Secondhand Smoke Exposure Among High-Risk Patients in the United States (NHANES 2001-2012): Implications for Clinical Practice.

Patients with cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and respiratory disease are susceptible to health consequences related to secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure. This study examined the prevalence, time trends, and correlates of SHS exposure among these patients compared with individuals without these diseases (control). Data were obtained from the 2001-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. All adults (≥20 years old) who were nonsmokers and exposed to SHS (serum cotinine level 0.015-10 ng/mL), had cancer (n = 1,440), CVD (congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina, heart attack, or stroke; n = 1,754), respiratory disease (asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema; n = 1,444), or none of these diseases (control; n = 11,615) were included in the analysis. Weighted prevalence, weighted second-degree polynomial linear regression of prevalence on year for trend analysis, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed with adjustments to the complex survey design. SHS exposure was the highest among patients with respiratory disease (72.1%), followed by patients with CVD (70.6%), controls (70.4%), and patients with cancer (65.4%). From 2001 to 2012, exposure decreased the most among CVD patients (19.6%), followed by controls (16.0%), cancer patients (14.7%), and respiratory patients (10.0%). Exposed individuals in all groups were more likely to be younger, Black, and less educated. Exposed patients with respiratory disease were more likely to be former smokers (p < .05 for all). SHS exposure among these patients is high and comparable to the general population. Strengthening smoke-free policies in all settings is critical. More efforts are needed to address SHS exposure more effectively in clinical care settings. Despite the negative health effect of SHS exposure among patients with cancer, CVD, and respiratory disease, modest progress has been made in reducing their exposure. Continued efforts to strengthen smoke-free policies in workplaces, public place, and multiunit housing is critical. In addition, exposure to SHS among these patients seems to be overlooked in clinical care settings. More efforts are needed to address this problem more effectively in health care settings and investigate specific interventions directed at increasing patients' awareness about the risk of exposure to SHS and helping them to reducing their exposure.

Abstract 033: Associations of Smoke-Free Policies With Blood Pressure Changes in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study

Introduction: Laws banning smoking in indoor public places have been associated with reductions in second-hand smoke exposure and cardiovascular disease among non-smokers. Second-hand smoke exposure has been associated with hypertension in prior studies. However, it is unknown whether smoke-free policies are associated with changes in blood pressure. Hypothesis: We tested the hypothesis that living in an area with a smoke-free policy banning smoking in restaurants, bars, and/or other workplaces is associated with reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure among non-smokers. Methods: Longitudinal data from 2,896 non-smoking participants of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study (aged 18-30 at enrollment, 1985-2011, 14,193 person-exam-years) were linked to state, county, and local 100% smoke-free policies in bars, restaurants, and/or non-hospitality workplaces based on participants’ census tract of residence at each exam. Fixed-effects linear regression estimated associations of each type of smoke-free policy (restaurant, bar, workplace) with within-person changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP). Models adjusted for time-varying covariates: exam year (categorical), socio-demographic (education, income, marital status), health-related (body mass index, total physical activity, alcohol use), and policy (state cigarette tax, self-reported ban on smoking in their workplace) covariates, and interactions of baseline covariates (age, sex, race, field center) with exam year to account for differences in blood pressure patterns that were associated with these characteristics (p&lt;0.05 for all interactions). Blood pressure values were adjusted to reflect antihypertensive medication use (+10 mmHg for SBP, +5 mmHg for DBP for those on medication). Results: At baseline, mean SBP was 110.5 mmHg and mean DBP was 69.3 mmHg. By year 25, a majority of participants were exposed to smoke-free policies in restaurants (1,759 of 2,264, 78%), bars (1,536 of 2,264, 68%), and other workplaces (1,518 of 2,264, 67%). Smoke-free policies were associated with within-person reductions in SBP and DBP in fully adjusted models (expressed as average change between exams in mmHg). Mean reductions in SBP were -0.77 (95% CI: -1.51, -0.02) for restaurant policies, -0.73 (95% CI: -1.54, 0.08) for bar policies, and -0.79 (95% CI: -1.51, -0.08) for workplace policies. Mean reductions in DBP were -0.67 (95% CI: -1.27, -0.06) for restaurant policies, -0.54 (95% CI: -1.20, 0.11) for bar policies, and -0.86 (95% CI: -1.44, -0.28) for workplace policies. Conclusions: Smoke-free policies in restaurants and other workplace are associated with within-person reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure among non-smokers. These results suggest an additional health benefit of these policies beyond those previously described in the literature.

Changes in Self-Reported Smokefree Workplace Policy Coverage Among Employed Adults-United States, 2003 and 2010-2011.

The workplace is a major source of exposure to secondhand smoke from combustible tobacco products. Smokefree workplace policies protect nonsmoking workers from secondhand smoke and help workers who smoke quit. This study examined changes in self-reported smokefree workplace policy coverage among U.S. workers from 2003 to 2010-2011. Data came from the 2003 (n = 74,728) and 2010-2011 (n = 70,749) waves of the Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey. Among employed adults working indoors, a smokefree workplace policy was defined as a self-reported policy at the respondent's workplace that did not allow smoking in work areas and public/common areas. Descriptive statistics were used to assess smokefree workplace policy coverage at two timepoints overall, by occupation, and by state. The proportion of U.S. workers covered by smokefree workplace policies increased from 77.7% in 2003 to 82.8% in 2010-2011 (p < .00001). The proportion of workers reporting smokefree workplace policy coverage increased in 21 states (p < .001) and decreased in two states (p < .001) over this period. In 2010-2011, by occupation, this proportion ranged from 74.3% for blue collar workers to 84.9% for white collar workers; by state, it ranged from 63.3% in Nevada to 92.6% in Montana. From 2003 to 2010-2011, self-reported smokefree workplace policy coverage among indoor adult workers increased nationally, and occupational coverage disparities narrowed. However, coverage remained unchanged in half of states, and disparities persisted across occupations and states. Accelerated efforts are warranted to ensure that all workers are protected by smokefree workplace policies. This study assessed changes in the proportion of indoor workers reporting being covered by smokefree workplace policies from 2003 to 2010-2011 overall and by occupation and by state, using data from the Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey. The findings indicate that smokefree workplace policy coverage among U.S. indoor workers has increased nationally, with occupational coverage disparities narrowing. However, coverage remained unchanged in half of states, and disparities persisted across occupations and states. Accelerated efforts are warranted to ensure that all workers are protected by smokefree workplace policies.

Smoke-Free Workplace Policy: Unintended Consequences at Northern Plains Reservations

Smoke-Free Workplace Policy: Unintended Consequences at Northern Plains Reservations

Utilizing Research to Facilitate Organizational Change

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;This study aimed to facilitate organisational change through research to implement a workplace smoking ban. Previous appeals to the executive management had been unsuccessful, as the health service complied with legal requirements. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;This small exploratory research study, utilized&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; the employee survey developed by QUIT Victoria, to gather evidence of staff opinions about workplace smoking.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; Approximately 25% of the workforce smoked. The majority of the workforce in the study supported a workplace smoking ban, citing adverse effects of smoking on them and the environment. Staff also support quit smoking initiatives for staff and a small percentage of those who smoke (27%) reported it would encourage them to quit. Four staff reported that a workplace smoking ban would create difficulties for them, highlighting the importance of support for these staff. A smoke free workplace policy was introduced as a result of the research project. Utilizing a research approach, facilitated positive change for local level workforce and workplace issues.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Disparity and Trends in Secondhand Smoke Exposure among Japanese Employees, Particularly Smokers vs. Non-Smokers.

BackgroundMonitoring disparities in secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is important for tailoring smoke-free policies to the needs of different groups. We examined disparity and trends in SHS exposure among both nonsmokers and smokers at Japanese workplaces between 2002 and 2012.MethodsA total of 32,940 employees in nationally representative, population-based, repeated cross-sectional surveys in 2002, 2007 and 2012 in Japan was analyzed. Adjusted rate ratios for workplace SHS exposure from other people (“everyday” and “everyday or sometimes”) were calculated according to covariates, using log-binomial regression models with survey weights. In this survey, employees who do not smoke at workplace are defined as workplace-nonsmokers; and those smoke at workplace are used as workplace-smokers. SHS exposure for smokers does not involve their own SHS.ResultsWhile everyday SHS exposure prevalence in workplace-nonsmokers decreased markedly (33.2% to 11.4%), that in workplace-smokers decreased only slightly (63.3% to 55.6%). Workplace-smokers were significantly more likely to report everyday SHS exposure than workplace-nonsmokers, and the degree of association increased over time: compared with the nonsmokers (reference), covariates-adjusted rate ratio (95% confidence interval) for the smokers increased from 1.70 (1.62–1.77) in 2002 to 4.16 (3.79–4.56) in 2012. Similar results were observed for everyday or sometimes SHS exposure. Compared with complete workplace smoking bans, partial and no bans were consistently and significantly associated with high SHS exposure among both nonsmokers and smokers. We also observed disparities in SHS exposure by employee characteristics, such as age group and worksite scale.ConclusionsAlthough overall SHS exposure decreased among Japanese employees between 2002 and 2012, the SHS exposure disparity between nonsmokers and smokers widened. Because smokers reported more frequent SHS exposure than nonsmokers, subsequent mortality due to SHS exposure may be higher in smokers than in nonsmokers. This information may be useful for advocating workplace smoke-free policies.