Smoking at the workplaces in Italy after the smoking ban in the Lazio Region.

BACKGROUND

In Italy, an anti-smoking law was issued in 2003, with the aim of reducing tobacco smoking inside public places.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to assess the observance of the smoking ban in Italy, during the period 2010-2014, in several workplaces and to evaluate the perception of workers, both smokers and non-smokers, on this issue.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study analyzed data resulting from a self-administered questionnaires in 59 companies, from several working sectors (transport, healthcare and building), in the Latium Region in Italy.

RESULTS

Out of 7200 questionnaires, 6996 were included in the analysis: 43.7% of the employees think that the smoking ban is respected in the workplace; women are more prone to think that the ban is not observed. Smokers tend to perceive the ban to be respected (AOR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.62-0.77) while non-smokers feel more exposed to second-hand smoke (AOR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.39-1.77). Workers in intellectual and highly specialized professions (AOR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.25-2.13), technical professions (AOR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.28-2.10) and craftsmen, skilled workers and farmers (AOR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.09-1.85) tend to perceive the smoking ban not to be observed and the last two classes are the ones who feel the most exposed to second-hand smoke (AOR: 6.68; 95% CI: 0.50-0.90; AOR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.38-0.70).

DISCUSSION

The results of this study can be used as a starting point for the implementation of new strategies to reduce tobacco addiction, beginning from the compliance with the ban on smoking in the workplace and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.