Learning Objectives: Identify the occupational and racial/ethnic group that is least likely to be covered by smoke-free workplace policy.
Abstract: Although some general information in smoke-free workplace policy coverage is available, it is still not clear which occupation groups are less likely to be covered by the policy and hence are more likely to expose to secondhand smoke. It is also not clear whether the racial/ethnic difference of this variable is the result of the different distribution of occupation.
Data from a combined sample of three month Current Population Survey (CPS) Tobacco Use Supplement (TUS) in 1998 and 1999 (N=224,123) are analyzed to generate occupation-specific profile of smoke-free workplace policy coverage. Among all occupations, food service workers are least likely to be covered by smoke-free workplace policy (43.4%, 95% CI=43.4, 46.4). Teachers are most likely to be covered (90.6%, 95% CI=89.7, 91.5). In workplace covered by smoke-free policy, food service workers are also most likely to expose to secondhand smoke (20.6%, 95% CI=19.2, 22.1). Mechanics and repairers also have the high exposure rate (18.4%, 95% CI=16.6, 20.2%).
After controlling for a rough occupation category (blue collar, white collar), the difference across the racial/ethnic groups is no longer significant. Logistic regression analysis is performed to determine the predictor of smoke-free workplace policy coverage.
Back to Topics in Evaluation: Policy and Prevention
Back to Evaluation and Surveillance
Back to The 2002 National Conference on Tobacco or Health