Results of a Union-based Smoking Cessation Intervention for Apprentice Iron Workers (United States)

Abstract

Labor union apprenticeship programs represent a promising venue for smoking cessation interventions, particularly those that draw upon a health promotion-health protection model.

Health Promotion in Smaller Workplaces in the United States

“…Unions provide social support networks and infrastructures (e.g., union halls, communication vehicles, and training programs) through which they can deliver messages to members who may work in smaller workplaces (7,58). Bluecollar union members are often exposed to workplace hazards and risks (e.g., smoking) that make integrated programs particularly salient for them (8).…”

“…Bluecollar union members are often exposed to workplace hazards and risks (e.g., smoking) that make integrated programs particularly salient for them (8). Studies have been conducted with unionsponsored programs for construction and motor-freight employees (7,58,59,67). Researchers reported significantly higher smoking quit rates among training-program participants than among nonparticipants (7,58).…”

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

“…One month after the program concluded, 27 (19.4%) of those smokers had quit-a rate much higher than the expected ~5% quit rate. Program participants were 3 times more likely to quit than nonparticipants [Barbeau et al 2006].…”

“…The most comprehensive workplace cessation programs incorporate tobacco cessation support into programs that address the overall safety, health, and well-being of workers. A growing evidence base supports the enhanced effectiveness of workplace health promotion programs when they are combined with occupational health protection programs [Sorensen et al 2003;Barbeau et al 2006;Hymel et al 2011;NIOSH 2013b].…”

“…A large randomized study involving 15 manufacturing sites showed that combining occupational health and safety messages with health promotion messages resulted in a doubling of smoking quit rates among hourly workers (from 5.9% to 11.8%; P = 0.04) compared with health promotion messages alone [Sorensen et al 2003]. Another demonstration study of an integrated program aimed at enhancing smoking cessation among blue collar workers targeted participants in a union apprenticeship program [Barbeau et al 2006] (see Box 4-5).…”