PURPOSE: This study investigated the relationship between working conditions and smoking among Korean employees using nationally representative data. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Third Korean Working Conditions Survey to identify associations between various working conditions and smoking. We calculated the smoking prevalence depending on individual characteristics and working conditions. Also, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between working conditions and smoking. RESULTS: Company size, occupation type, employment type, working hours, working-time flexibility, and smoking-area policy were related to smoking among male employees, while company size, occupation type, employment type, and smoking-area policy were associated with smoking prevalence among females. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that working conditions influence smoking prevalence, and the implementation of smoke-free policies is needed to target specific working conditions, including a strict no-smoking-area policy.
Employment ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Occupations ; Pliability ; Prevalence ; Smoke* ; Smoke-Free Policy ; Smoking*

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the strength of tobacco control and the effectiveness of creating smoke-free hospital, and summarize the main factors that affect the program of creating smoke-free hospitals.

METHODSA total of 210 hospitals from 7 provinces/municipalities directly under the central government were enrolled in this study using stratified random sampling method. Principle component analysis and regression analysis were conducted to analyze the strength of tobacco control and the effectiveness of creating smoke-free hospitals.

RESULTSTwo principal components were extracted in the strength of tobacco control index, which respectively reflected the tobacco control policies and efforts, and the willingness and leadership of hospital managers regarding tobacco control. The regression analysis indicated that only the first principal component was significantly correlated with the progression in creating smoke-free hospital (P<0.001), i.e. hospitals with higher scores on the first principal component had better achievements in smoke-free environment creation.

CONCLUSIONSTobacco control policies and efforts are critical in creating smoke-free hospitals. The principal component analysis provides a comprehensive and objective tool for evaluating the creation of smoke-free hospitals.

Health Facility Environment ; Hospital Administration ; Principal Component Analysis ; Smoke-Free Policy ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; prevention & control

This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of the implementation of a smoke-free university policy after two years and to analyze predictors for organizational policy management and smoke-free university. A cross-sectional survey study was designed and undertaken as a baseline in 2014 and as an evaluation in 2016 in a government university within 2 campuses in the Northeast of Thailand. Students and staff/personnel returned questionnaires at a university. There were 891 and 960 people enrolled in to the study in 2014 and 2016, respectively. Outcomes were smoke-free environment, smoking rate, quit rate and variables affecting a smoke-free university. After two years, the smoke-free environment was improved significantly (p<0.001). The smoking rate was not a statistically significant increase, (6.73% in 2014 and 8.42% in 2016, p>0.05). Of this increase, the rate for regular smoking was lower than its expected value by 7.6%. The quit rate significantly increased from 8.33% to 33.96% (p<0.05). Law and organizational support were significant predictors of organizational policy management (adjusted R2 = 19%, p<0.001). Organizational policy management was a significant predictor for being smoke-free university (adjusted R2= 41%, p<0.001). Two years’ experience of implementing a smoke-free university policy showed significant improvements. The organizational policy management directly strengthened these improvements.
smoke-free university ; organizational policy management ; smoking rate ; quit rate ; Thailand

Tobacco use is the most important preventable risk factor for premature death. The World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the first international public health treaty, came into force in 2005. This paper reviews the present status of tobacco control policies in Korea according to the WHO FCTC recommendations. In Korea, cigarette use is high among adult males (48.2% in 2010), and cigarette prices are the lowest among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries with no tax increases since 2004. Smoke-free policies have shown incremental progress since 1995, but smoking is still permitted in many indoor public places. More than 30% of non-smoking adults and adolescents are exposed to second-hand smoke. Public education on the harmful effects of tobacco is currently insufficient and the current policies have not been adequately evaluated. There is no comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion, or sponsorship in Korea. Cigarette packages have text health warnings on only 30% of the main packaging area, and misleading terms such as "mild" and "light" are permitted. There are nationwide smoking cessation clinics and a Quitline service, but cessation services are not covered by public insurance schemes and there are no national treatment guidelines. The sale of tobacco to minors is prohibited by law, but is poorly enforced. The socioeconomic inequality of smoking prevalence has widened, although the government considers inequality reduction to be a national goal. The tobacco control policies in Korea have faltered recently and priority should be given to the development of comprehensive tobacco control policies.
Humans ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Republic of Korea ; *Smoke-Free Policy ; Smoking/economics/*epidemiology ; Smoking Cessation ; Taxes ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution

OBJECTIVES: As one of smoke-free policies, communities have established the smoke-free ordinances since August 2010. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of community-level smoke-free ordinances (SFO) on smoking rates in men using multiyear Community Health Survey (CHS) data. METHODS: Data on community-level SFO were collected from a website on Enhanced Local Laws and Regulation Information System. Regional smoking-related data were obtained from CHS data from 2008 to 2012 and the age-standardized rates of current smoking in men, attempts to quit smoking, and smoke-free campaign experiences including the mean number of cigarettes smoked (smoking amount) were calculated. Repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to evaluate the effects of regional implementation of SFO and the duration on change of smoking rates. RESULTS: Overall current smoking rates and daily mean cigarettes smoked were lower in community where SFO had been implemented compared to those without implementation, and there was a significant difference in smoking rates between 2010 and 2008. Cross-sectional analysis of the effects of regional SFO revealed clear difference in rate of current smoking, but longitudinal analysis showed no significant differences. Stratifying by age groups, however, showed that groups less than 30 years of age had low smoking rates in community with ordinance compared to those without SFO since 2010. Yearly surveys measuring the number of cigarettes smoked, attempts to quit smoking, and experiences of smoke-free campaigns showed regional differences in the duration of implementation, but these differences were not significant in longitudinal analysis. Furthermore, there was a difference in regional socioeconomic characteristics between community with and without SFO implementation. CONCLUSIONS: For effective smoking control, it is necessary to evaluate current policies and develop indices to evaluate the practical implementation of ordinances. As more communities to pass the SFO, long-term observation and assessments required.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Health Surveys* ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Jurisprudence ; Male ; Smoke* ; Smoke-Free Policy ; Smoking* ; Tobacco Products

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to measure secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in personal computer (PC) rooms with the purpose of determining the strength of scientific evidence supporting the legislative ban on smoking in PC rooms located in the Republic of Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June to September 2012, particulate matter (PM2.5) and air nicotine concentration (ANC) were measured in the smoking and non-smoking areas of PC rooms in Goyang City, Korea. In 28 randomly sampled PC rooms, field investigators completed an observational questionnaire on building characteristics, smoking policies, and evidence of smoking. The geometric means (GM) of PM2.5 and ANC in smoking and non-smoking areas were compared. RESULTS: Evidence of smoking was identified in both the smoking and non-smoking areas of all PC rooms. The GMs of PM2.5 and ANC in both areas were high and did not differ significantly (174.77 μg/m3 and 48.95 μg/m3 in smoking areas; 93.38 μg/m3 and 41.30 μg/m3 in non-smoking areas). Overall PM2.5 concentrations were 5.5-fold higher than those listed in the World Health Organization guidelines. CONCLUSION: This study supported previous reports that a partial smoking ban did not protect individuals from SHS exposure. Furthermore, the results from our study suggest how research can support policy. Countries in which smoke-free policies are not yet comprehensive may find our results useful.
Humans ; Korea* ; Microcomputers ; Nicotine ; Particulate Matter ; Republic of Korea ; Research Personnel ; Smoke ; Smoke-Free Policy ; Smoking ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution* ; World Health Organization

BACKGROUND: Because passive smoking causes lung cancer, ischemic heart disease, and stroke in nonsmokers, implementation of policy to prevent workplace environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) are deadly needed. Most of our hospital employees desire more strict smoke-free policy as shown in a questionnaire survey conducted in January 1999. This study was to investigate the short-term effect of a comprehensive smoke-free policy on hospital employees which prohibited any smoking within the hospital building since March 15, 1999. METHODS: The first survey was carried out on January 1999 including all the employees of Sanggye Paik Hospital as subjects. After two months a second round of survey was done to monitor the effects of the new regulation. Questions included in the survey were subjects' demographic characteristics, smoking history, perception and observance of no-smoking areas, and change in perception of ETS. Smokers were questioned about changes in smoking rate after the new policy. Statistical analysis was done using and paired t-test to detect if there was any statistical significance after enforcing the new smoke-free policy. RESULTS: Among total 1,026 employees, 621 subjects (men 146, women 475) in the first survey and 552 subjects (men 146, women 406) in the second survey were responded. There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics and occupation mix between the two surveys. Although the perception and observance of no-smoking areas were increased after the new policy, half of nonsmokers replied that the new policy was not well observed. 76.9% of subjects replied the exposure to cigarette smoke during work decreased. The question item asking the smokers of the amount of cigarettes smoked after the new policy adopted revealed a decrease in 2.83( 0.48) cigarettes during the working hours(p=0.0001), a decrease in 1.18( 0.29) cigarettes during the non-working hours(p=0.0002). However, 84.0% of nonsmokers agreed on total ban within the premises of hospital or more stringent regulation for violation of the policy. CONCLUSION: Despite several limitations, this study suggests that a comprehensive smoke-free policy in hospital has a positive impact on the reduction of smoker's cigarettes consumption as well as reduction of ETS exposure on the nonsmokers.
Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Occupations ; Smoke ; Smoke-Free Policy* ; Smoking ; Smoking Cessation ; Stroke ; Tobacco ; Tobacco Products ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Cancer is a major cause of mortality and morbidity throughout the world, including the countries of North-East and South-East Asia. Assessment of burden through cancer registration, determination of risk and protective factors, early detection and screening, clinical practice, interventions for example in vaccination, tobacco cessation efforts and palliative care all should be included in comprehensive cancer control programs. The degree to which this is possible naturally depends on the resources available at local, national and international levels. The present review concerns elements of cancer control programs established in China, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan in North-East Asia, Viet Nam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia as representative larger countries of South-East Asia for comparison, using the published literature as a guide. While major advances have been made, there are still areas which need more attention, especially in South-East Asia, and international cooperation is essential if standard guidelines are to be generated to allow effective cancer control efforts throughout the Far East.
Asia, Southeastern ; Databases, Factual ; Far East ; Humans ; Incidence ; Neoplasms/diagnosis/epidemiology/*prevention & control ; Periodicals as Topic ; Public Policy ; Registries ; Risk Factors ; Smoke-Free Policy

INTRODUCTIONThis study aims to identify the predictors of a 6-month quitting success among employees involved in workplace smoking cessation with low-intensity smoke-free policy.

MATERIALS AND METHODSA multicentre prospective cohort study was conducted among employees from 2 different public universities in Malaysia. Interventions include at least 2 sessions of behavioural therapy combined with free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for 8 weeks. Participants were followed up for 6 months. Independent variables assessed were on sociodemographic and environmental tobacco smoke. Their quit status were determined at 1 week, 3 months and 6 months.

RESULTSOne hundred and eighty- five smokers volunteered to participate. Among the participants, 15% and 13% sustained quit at 3 months and 6 months respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that at 6 months, attending all 3 behavioural sessions predicted success. None of the environmental tobacco exposure variables were predictive of sustained cessation.

CONCLUSIONIndividual predictors of success in intra-workplace smoking cessation programmes do not differ from the conventional clinic-based smoking cessation. Furthermore, environmental tobacco exposure in low intensity smoke-free workplaces has limited influence on smokers who succeeded in maintaining 6 months quitting.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Smoke-Free Policy ; Smoking ; therapy ; Smoking Cessation ; Time Factors ; Workplace ; Young Adult

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) entered into effect in 2005 and has been ratified by 181 parties. The major tobacco control policies included in the FCTC are increased tobacco taxes; smoke-free public places; bans on tobacco advertisements, promotion, and sponsorship; regulations of tobacco packaging and labeling; regulations and disclosure of tobacco component and emissions; public awareness campaigns about the adverse health effects of tobacco use; treatment of tobacco use and dependence; and bans on tobacco sales to minors. Since the FCTC was ratified, tobacco control policies have been strengthened worldwide, but with different effects for different policies. A high level of performance was achieved in 55% of the signatory countries for warnings about the hazards of tobacco and in 30% for monitoring tobacco control policies, but tobacco tax increases, smoke-free polices, and bans on tobacco advertisement, promotion, and sponsorship achieved high levels of success in only about 10% of the countries. Korea recently strengthened some tobacco control policies, including tobacco tax increases, mass media campaigns, pictorial warnings on tobacco packs, smoke-free bars and restaurants, and reimbursement for smoking cessation services provided by health care facilities. However, the price of cigarettes remains very low considering the nation's income level, and tobacco advertisements, promotion, and sponsorship are only partially restricted. Workplace smoke-free policies are limited to large companies. Only monitoring of tobacco control policies and smoking cessation services are at a high level in Korea. Comprehensive tobacco control polices need to be strengthened, and physicians should play a leading role.
Commerce ; Delivery of Health Care ; Disclosure ; International Cooperation ; Korea ; Mass Media ; Product Packaging ; Restaurants ; Smoke-Free Policy ; Smoking Cessation ; Social Control, Formal ; Taxes ; Tobacco Products ; Tobacco Use ; Tobacco