Exposure to Secondhand Smoke and Attitudes Toward Smoke-Free Workplaces Among Employed U.S. Adults: Findings From the National Adult Tobacco Survey

Abstract

Introduction This study assessed the prevalence and correlates of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and attitudes toward smoke-free workplaces among employed U.S. adults. Methods Data came from the 2009–2010 National Adult Tobacco Survey, a landline and cellular telephone survey of adults aged ≥18 years in the United States and the District of Columbia. National and state estimates of past 7-day workplace SHS exposure and attitudes toward indoor and outdoor smoke-free workplaces were assessed among employed adults. National estimates were calculated by sex, age, race/ethnicity, education, annual household income, sexual orientation, U.S. region, and smoking status. Results Among employed adults who did not smoke cigarettes, 20.4% reported past 7-day SHS exposure at their workplace (state range: 12.4% [Maine] to 30.8% [Nevada]). Nationally, prevalence of exposure was higher among males, those aged 18–44 years, non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaska natives compared to non-Hispanic Whites, those with less education and income, those in the western United States, and those with no smoke-free workplace policy. Among all employed adults, 83.8% and 23.2% believed smoking should never be allowed in indoor and outdoor areas of workplaces, respectively. Conclusions One-fifth of employed U.S. adult nonsmokers are exposed to SHS in the workplace, and disparities in exposure exist across states and subpopulations. Most employed adults believe indoor areas of workplaces should be smoke free, and nearly one-quarter believe outdoor areas should be smoke free. Efforts to protect employees from SHS exposure and to educate the public about the dangers of SHS and benefits of smoke-free workplaces could be beneficial.

2015 Department of Defense Health Related Behaviors Survey (HRBS)

“…Respondents who indicated they had breathed smoke at work at least once in the past seven days (Q55 ≥ 1) were classified as exposed to secondhand smoke in the workplace. Q55 was drawn from the National Adult Tobacco Survey (King et al, 2014) and was new to the HRBS in 2015.…”

Current intelligence bulletin 67: promoting health and preventing disease and injury through workplace tobacco policies.

“…[King et al 2014]. Still, this favorably compared with the much greater 51.3% of those not covered by smoke-free policies who reported such exposure to SHS at work [King et al 2014].…”

“…The 1999 survey found wide disparities; although smoke-free workplace policies covered 90% of school teachers, they covered only 43% of food preparation and service workers, and only 13% of bartenders [Shopland et al 2004]. [King et al 2014]. Still, this favorably compared with the much greater 51.3% of those not covered by smoke-free policies who reported such exposure to SHS at work [King et al 2014].…”

“…The 2009-2010 nationwide survey also found that 20.4% of nonsmoking employed adults reported SHS exposure in their indoor workplace on 1 or more days during the past 7 days [King et al 2014]. …”

“…Results from later surveys conducted by 13 states in 2008 found proportions of nonsmoking employed adults who reported SHS exposure on 2 or more days during the past 7 days in their indoor workplace ranging from 6.0% (Tennessee) to 15.8% (Mississippi), with a state-specific median of 8.6% [CDC 2009]. An even more recent survey involving all states found proportions of nonsmoking employed adults who reported SHS exposure on 1 or more days during the past 7 days in their indoor workplace ranging from 12.4% (Maine) to 30.8% (Nevada) [King et al 2014].…”