Beliefs regarding smoking in the workplace: results from the Global Workplace Smoking Survey

Abstract

Objectives: To collect global information on attitudes of employers and employees toward workplace smoking and cessation.

Methods: The Global Workplace Smoking Survey collected data from employers (smoking and non-smoking) and smoking employees in 14 countries in 2007.

Results: A total of 3,525 employees (all smokers) and 1,403 employers (smokers and non-smokers) participated in the survey. While the majority of employees and employers felt that workplace smoking was unacceptable, this was indicated by a greater proportion of employers than employees, particularly in Europe and Asia (92 and 93% of employers vs. 61 and 71% of employees, respectively). Only 29% of employees believed that smoking has negative financial impacts on their company compared to 46% of employers. While almost three-quarters of employees agreed that all workplaces should be smoke-free, agreement was greater among employers (87%).

Conclusions: Our results indicate a broad lack of support for workplace smoking among employers and smoking employees, although employers were more likely to stress negative financial consequences and advantages of smoke-free workplaces. These results suggest directions for subsequent programs to reduce workplace smoking by assisting smoking cessation.