No smoking at work: the effect of different types of workplace smoking restrictions on smokers' attitudes, behaviour and cessation intentions

Abstract

A cross-sectional questionnaire study of 242 employees who smoke was under taken in Glasgow in 1996; 72 per cent of the sample worked under partial bans on smoking and 28 per cent under total bans. Smokers' attitudes towards the smoking restrictions were generally positive and did not differ significantly between groups. Smokers in total bans were, more likely to stop smoking during working hours. Those in partial bans were more likely to increase their consumption (p<0.01). Twice as many smokers in a total ban were preparing to quit than in a partial ban (p<0.05), and twice as many smokers in a total ban were very confident or fairly confident of being successful (p <0.01). Total and partial bans appear to have different effects on smokers. Therefore, total rather than partial bans on smoking at work, supported by cessation intentions directed at smokers in the early stages of readiness to quit, are recommended as valuable and effective public health measures.