Making it Work: Tobacco Control for Employers
Quick Facts
There is strong evidence for the effectiveness of group and individual counseling sessions and pharmacological treatments provided as smoking cessation interventions in the workplace 1
There are several advantages to providing smoking cessation services in the workplace:
o Introduction of non-smoking policies effectively reduces employee exposure to second-hand smoke
o Potential for higher participation rates
o Can promote sustained peer support networks and positive peer pressure
o No time required to travel to/from the program
o Do not have to use their own time to participate
o Provides an opportunity to target certain industries or occupations with higher smoking
prevalence rates 1.
Smoking rates are higher in occupations traditionally described as blue-collar and service, than in white-collar occupations and over time it appears that declines in smoking rates amongst blue-collar workers have been smaller compared to other occupations 2,3,4
References:
1. Cahill, K., Moher, M., Lancaster, T. (2008). Workplace interventions for smoking
cessation: review. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Online), 4. CD003440.
2. Bang, K.M .& Kim, J.H. (2001). Prevalence of cigarette smoking by occupation and
industry in the United States. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 40, 233-239.
3. Nelson, D.E., Emont, S.L., Brackbill, R.M., Cameron, L.L., Peddicord, J., Fiore, M.C.
(1994). Cigarette smoking prevalence by occupation in the United
States. A comparison between 1978 to 1980 and 1987 to 1990. Journal of
Occupational Medicine, 36, 516-525.
4. Park, H., Sprince, N.L., Jensen, C., Whitten, P., Zwerling, C. (2001). Health risk factors
and occupation among Iowa workers. American Journal of Preventive Medicine,
21, 203-208.
Resources
The Smoke-free Ontario Act. How the Act Affects Employers and Employees.
A fact sheet for employers outlining the requirements for compliance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act provisions specific to the workplace.
Smoking Cessation in the Workplace: A Guide to Helping Your Employees Quit Smoking
The guide outlines the reasons why workplaces should get involved and support employees' efforts to cut down or quit smoking. It also provides practical, relevant material on smoking cessation that can be used either as part of a comprehensive wellness program or as an initiative on its own. The kinds of smoking cessation activities that can be offered are explained, the necessary steps are outlined, and handouts, tools and a list of further resources and references are also included.
Towards a Healthier Workplace: A Guidebook on Tobacco Control Policies
This guidebook is designed to help employees and employers who are preparing to create or strengthen tobacco control policies in their workplaces.
Smoking and the Bottom Line: Updating the Costs of Smoking in the Workplace
This report outlines the costs to employers of workers who smoke. Four areas are covered including: absenteeism, productivity, insurance costs and smoking facilities costs.
Smokers’ Helpline Quit Connection Fax Referral Program
Smokers’ Helpline Quit Connection is a fax referral program that provides seamless integration between the cessation services of Smokers’ Helpline and healthcare providers who identify and refer patients or clients who smoke or want to remain tobacco-free. The Quit Connection Program eliminates the need for patients or clients to call Smokers’ Helpline. Instead, a Smokers’ Helpline Tobacco Cessation Specialist will contact the tobacco user to provide counselling.
Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients Study (STOP Study)
The Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients (STOP) Study is a research project that aims to discover the most effective methods of delivering free smoking cessation medication and counseling support to smokers across Ontario.
Pregnets
The Pregnets website hosts the most up-to-date information on smoking cessation practices for pregnant and postpartum women.
Pregnets aims to decrease the negative consequences of smoking and environmental tobacco smoke on the woman, fetus, and child by encouraging healthcare providers to include minimal contact interventions into routine assessments and healthcare.
Mark Your Calendars:
September 2011
Region of Waterloo Public Health Networking Session Making it Work: Encouraging Employees to be Tobacco-Free!
Wednesday September 28, 2011 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm
World Car Free Day - September 22, 2011
October 2011
Healthy Workplace Month
Cervical Cancer Awareness Week - October 24 – 30, 2011
Region of Waterloo Public Health – Prenatal Health Fair – October 26, 2011 5-8 pm
A free event at the Cambridge Newfoundland Club for those planning a pregnancy or already pregnant. Displays, workshops, prizes and food. Call 519-883-2308 for more information.
December 2011
Driven to Quit – annual quit smoking contest. Registration begins late December 2011 and continues until the end of February 2012. Contest entrants must quit for the month of March 2012.
January 2012
National Non Smoking Week – January 15th-21st, 2012.
May 2012
The World Health Organization’s “World No Tobacco Day” – May 31st, 2012
World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world every year on May 31. It is meant to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption across the globe. The day is further intended to draw global attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to negative health effects, which currently lead to 5.4 million deaths worldwide annually.
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