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The European Journal of Public Health Advance Access published online on May 27, 2005
The European Journal of Public Health, doi:10.1093/eurpub/cki057
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© The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.
Received May 14, 2004
Accepted September 16, 2004

Article

Workplace smoking policies in Taiwan and their association with employees' smoking behaviours

Susan C. Hu 1*, Sunny Y. Huang 2, Derchiang Li 3, Chi P. Wen 4, and Shan P. Tsai 5

1 1 Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
2 2 Department of Health Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan
3 3 Department of Industrial Management, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
4 4 Division of Health Policy Research, National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan
5 5 Corporate Health Department, Shell People Services--Americas, Houstohon USA

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Susan C. Hu, E-mail: shuhu{at}mail.ncku.edu.tw


  Abstract

Background: The implementation of worksite smoking policies has shown significant effects on reducing employees' smoking consumption and protecting non-smoking workers. However, there are no data about workplace smoking policies in Taiwan. The purpose of this study was to document the status of worksite smoking policies in Taiwan and its potential impact on employees' smoking behaviours. Methods: A two-stage investigation was conducted. The first stage was to examine the current status of workplace smoking policies and the second was to evaluate the relationship between workplace smoking policies and employees' smoking behaviours. After two follow-ups in each stage, 264 companies and 1141 employees returned their questionnaires. Results: Workplace smoking policies were associated with types of businesses and size of workplaces. Only approximately half of manufacturing and service companies have implemented a prohibitive smoking policy. Large facilities (>750 employees) were more likely to implement a prohibitive policy (57%). Employees in workplaces with a prohibitive policy had lower prevalence of smoking and cigarette consumption, and less exposure to passive smoking. Although most smokers agreed with banning smoking in their work environment, no difference in interest in participating in cessation programs was found. Conclusions: Significant associations were found between workplace smoking policies and employees' smoking behaviours. Results of the study provide basic information for designing more refined smoking policies in the workplace in Taiwan.

Keywords: smoking behaviours; smoking policy; Taiwan; workplace.
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