Smoking habits and attitudes to smoking 2001 among hospital staff at a Danish hospital--comparison with a similar study 1999.

BACKGROUND

Smoking is the main preventable cause of lifestyle-related diseases and smoking cessation interventions have shown to be cost-effective. It is important to know the smoking habits and attitudes towards smoking among the hospital staff because of the impact the staff have on the patients. Two studies were conducted to attain this information.

METHODS

This study analyzes the results of a survey conducted in the summer of 2001 and compares them to a similar study conducted in 1999. 970 anonymous questionnaires were distributed in 2001.

RESULTS

The number of smokers among the staff has significantly decreased from 33% to 26% over the 2-year period. Those who do still smoke are less willing to quit and are reluctant to accept help to stop smoking. Fewer are bothered by passive smoking now compared to 1999 and approximately 2/3 of the responders do not find it acceptable to implement sanctions against the members of staff who break the prohibition.

CONCLUSION

It is worth providing resources to smoking cessation intervention. The intensive preventive work carried out at the hospital may have resulted in significantly fewer smokers among the staff which again facilitate the staff's effort to help the patients stop smoking.