A Comprehensive Worksite Smoking Control, Discouragement, and Cessation Program

Abstract

The effectiveness of a comprehensive program of worksite smoking control, discouragement, and cessation was compared with a program of smoking cessation alone. Two comparable oil refineries served as the research sites. Outcome variables consisted of employee self-reported smoking rate assessed by the use of a smoking questionnaire and unobtrusive observations of smoking behavior before and after the intervention. One company was randomly assigned to the comprehensive program of smoking control, discouragement, and cessation while the other company only received smoking cessation. Humorous antismoking posters emphasizing the benefits of quitting smoking were distributed throughout the first worksite and changed every 2 weeks. Large banners stating “Go SmokeFree” were also placed at all locations to this plant and left up for the duration of the study. Three weeks after the initiation of the smoking discouragement program at one refinery, a group smoking cessation program was begun at both plants. At a 5-month follow-up, participants in the smoking cessation treatment at the plant receiving the comprehensive program achieved a 5-month abstinence rate of 43% in comparison with a rate of 21% at the refinery receiving only smoking cessation.