Smoking Behavior in a Smoking Workplace

Purpose: This report addresses whether smoking increases as a function of working in a smoking environment. Methods: Casino employees were targeted to complete a survey designed to assess smoking behavior. The survey contained standardized questions consistent with other major surveys on tobacco use to ensure comparability with state and national trends. Data collection occurred between September and November 1997. Results: Out of 755 surveys distributed, 587 completed surveys were returned, resulting in a response rate of 77 percent. A test of proportions showed that the proportion of smokers had not changed significantly as a result of working in a smoking environment although the amount of smoking decreased significantly (one-sample t-test). The change in the amount of smoking was assessed using difference scores. Males and females did not differ in the rate in which their smoking changed. A significant correlation between age and the change score suggested that younger smokers were more likely to increase their intake whereas the older smoking employees were more likely to decrease their consumption by the time of the survey. Implications: The finding that individuals who work in a smoking environment decreased their smoking behavior merits further investigation in the area of smoking aversion.