Knowledge, attitudes and experiences of Macao's casino workers with regard to second-hand smoke exposure at work

Abstract

This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes and experiences of casino workers in Macao with regard to exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) in the workplace through structured face-to-face interviews with 377 workers. The results indicate that the majority of casino workers dislike SHS exposure at work, recognise that such exposure is harmful to their health, support the establishment of separate smoking and non-smoking areas for customers and would like greater restrictions than those that exist at present. The survey also found that there are statistically significant differences in knowledge, attitudes and experiences among workers of different smoking status. The findings of this study support the need for more comprehensive smoke-free legislation in casinos in Macao. The results also add to the existing evidence for smoke-free legislation across casinos worldwide.

Keywords:

• smoking
• survey
• casino
• employment
• Asia
• attitudes

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming (ISCG) at the University of Macau for sponsoring this research project.