The effectiveness of smoking-free policy in workplace
Date Issued
2007
Date
2007
Author(s)
Hung, Su-Chen
DOI
zh-TW
Abstract
Objective: Exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) concentration is an effective indicator of smoking cessation program in clinics and hospitals. Its application in the community and workplace, however, remains limited. The first section, this study was established that exhaled CO concentration can be used as an objective indicator of the amount of daily cigarette consumption among smokers in the workplace. The second section, for the reason to verify the effectiveness smoking-free policy in workplace.
Methods:This research is divided into 2 sections, which had been completed during April 2002 to December 2006. The first section, samples were taken from plant A, a chemical production site, for 150 workers, which included 123 non-smokers and 27 smokers.The conduct of the research are included the analysis of population data, personal information fill out on height, weight, sex, age, cigarette consumption, smoking behavior and the exhaled carbon monoxide level were measured using Micro CO meter (Micro Medical Limited; UK). Microsoft office excel 2003, Minitab software were applied to data analysis by descriptive statistics, pearson correlation, simple linear regression, two-by-two table。The second section, we selected 3 different smoking policy of chemical factories as policies study. Smoker participants included A plant 118, B plant 47 and C plant 11, At that time plant A and plant B implemented prohibitive smoking policy, plant C implemented smoking-free policy. The study were collect the numbers of daily cigarette consumption and smoking behaviors report and the exhaled carbon monoxide level were measured, comparison difference between smoking policy implemented before and after.
Results: First section presents as Table.1& Fig.3. The mean exhaled carbon monoxide level of nonsmokers is 4.2 ppm (95% CI: 3.3~5.1).The exhaled CO levels and the numbers of daily cigarette consumption are closely related with the correlation coefficient being +0.73(p<0.01), Adjusted R-square 0.44(simple linear regression model) . A reading > 6 ppm suggests that the worker might be a smoker (Sensitivity: 0.84, Specificity: 0.85). The second section research is the result on the evaluation of non-smoking policy. According to different policies in different plant site did come out with distinct results. Smoking rate and cigarette consumption decrease displayed different effect on each plant. On plant A, (1)14.9% of smoking rate reduction, 34.7% of quit smoking rate. (2)54.4% of cigarette consumed reduction
., 4.3sticks(person/day) of current smoker’s cigarette consumed decreased.(3)34.7% of smoking-free program participants succeeded.(4)achieved smoking-free policy workplace on 2004/01/01 , company registered smoking-free policy to local government.(5)Employees totally complied with legal and plant regulation, non violation case so far. On plant B, (1) 2.8% of smoking rate reduction, 8.5% of quit smoking rate. (2)11% of cigarette consumed reduction, 0.4 sticks (person/day) of current smoker’s cigarette consumed decreased. (3)Plant B achieved smoking-free policy workplace on 2005/07/01 as legal safety regulation.(4)Employees totally complied with legal and plant regulation, non violation case so far. On Plant C (1) Plant C had not been detected difference of smoking status between policies before and after. (2) Plant C keep smoking-free policy as legal safety regulation as past years.
Conclusions: We suggest that a cut-point 6ppm of exhaled CO level can be a useful and objective indictor to distinguish smokers from non- smokers in the workplace in Taiwan. The study found that comprehensive achieved tobacco control program in workplace plays a critical or role setting up regulations, even for smokers. Our study proves that the smoking free policy can efficiently affect the worker’s smoking behavior. Plant A and Plant B implement the smoking-free policy with different programs so there are significant difference in the reduction of smoking rate and cigarette consumption between the two plants. The reduction of smoking rate and cigarette consumption for plant A are14.9% and 54.4% while they are 2.8% and 11% for plant B. Based on this study, only complying with government regulations does not help the reduction of smoking rate and cigarette consumption. Although there are smoking-free program and related quit-smoking course in place, it is hard to achieve the goals and probably will waste resource and time if the execution plan is not well performed. In order to maintain a smoking harm-free work place and provide employees with healthy working environment, the following steps should be taken place. Set up smoking-free policy to help the develop smoking-free program and detailed implementation plan. Well execute the plan to keep monitoring the sustainability of tobacco control. Overall, the reduced smoking rate and smoking amount in A plant are both of 5 times higher than those in B plant. It is found not only the long-term effort in manpower and time but also strong commitment the program so that we can establish and sustain the smoking free policy in the workplace.
Subjects
職場
無菸政策
呼氣中一氧化碳
戒菸
距離
workplace
smoking-free policy
exhaled carbon monoxide
smoking cessation
distance
Type
thesis