Cigarette smoking in building trades workers: The impact of work environment

Abstract

Background Blue-collar workers smoke at higher rates than white-collar workers and the general population. Occupational factors may contribute to smoking behavior in this group. However, little is known about the role of occupational factors in explaining cigarette smoking patterns. Methods This study used cross-sectional data from the MassBUILT smoking cessation intervention study. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the association of occupational factors with current cigarette smoking among 1,817 building trades workers. Results Current cigarette smoking was significantly associated with the following occupational factors: union commitment (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.00–1.12); exposure to dust (OR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.15–1.95), exposure to chemicals (OR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.11–1.79); and concern about exposure to occupational hazards (OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.91–0.95). Conclusion The findings highlight the need to explicate the pathways by which occupational factors may contribute to current smoking behavior among building trades workers. Smoking cessation programs for this population should consider work-related occupational factors along with individual approaches.

Associations of smoking status with other lifestyle behaviors are modified by sex and occupational category among urban civil servants in Japan

“…On the other hand, this trend was unclear among white-collar workers. This might arise because blue-collar ex-smokers increase their food intake instead of smoking to cope with their working conditions, which are more stressful and unsatisfactory than those of white-collar workers [19].…”

“…Blue-collar workers were reported to smoke more heavily, start smoking at a younger age, and be less likely to quit smoking compared with white-collar workers because of their physically and mentally demanding work or cultural practices in their worksites [18,19]. Differences in smoking status and other lifestyle behaviors between white-and blue-collar workers may lead to a difference in the risk for total mortality among smokers between these two groups.…”

Smoking, Work Stress, and Barriers to Participation in HMO Smoking Cessation Treatment Among Transit Workers: Focus Group Results

“…In this regard, it is instructive to compare the smokingwork stress connection with other blue-collar occupational groups that have elevated smoking prevalence. For example, in a sample of building trades union apprentices (N=1,877), 42.7% were current smokers (Chin, Hong, Gillen, Bates, & Okechukwu, 2012). Similarly, among a sample of motor freight workers (N=542), 40% were tobacco users (Sorensen, Quintiliani, Pereira, Yang, & Stoddard, 2009).…”

“…Similarly, among a sample of motor freight workers (N=542), 40% were tobacco users (Sorensen, Quintiliani, Pereira, Yang, & Stoddard, 2009). Greater exposure to certain occupational hazards (dust, chemicals) was associated with greater likelihood of smoking; interestingly, concern about exposure to occupational hazards was inversely associated with current smoking (Chin et al, 2012). Tobacco users who were less concerned about occupational exposures and those not working the day shift were less likely to participate in a health promotion intervention that included smoking cessation (Sorensen et al, 2009).…”

Prevalence, patterns and determinants of smoking among migrant workers in Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir, India

“…Exposure to chemical and dust is typical job stressor for construction workers which has been demonstrated to positively affect the current smoking. 13,14 Also the wages are low and often delayed, thus further adding to stress.…”