Sex differences in workplace smoking policies: results from the current population survey

To determine the prevalence of smoking policies in indoor work environments in the United States, with a special focus on sex differences in the provision of these policies.

Information on the prevalence and restrictiveness of workplace smoking policies was obtained from 86,490 currently employed indoor workers (50,865 women and 35,625 men) 15 years of age and older who responded to the National Cancer Institute's Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey, a cross-sectional survey of households in all 50 states and the District of Columbia conducted between 1995 and 1996.

Eighty-six percent of respondents reported that their workplaces had official smoking policies, and 63% reported that their workplaces were smoke free. Women reported significantly higher rates of both official smoking policies and smoke-free workplaces than men, regardless of racial/ethnic or age group.

The overall rates of worksite smoking restrictions, including the establishment of smoke-free workplaces, were higher than those reported in earlier surveys. Disparities in coverage will need to be reduced if all workers, regardless of sex, race, age, or industry of employment, are to be protected from the demonstrated hazards of environmental tobacco smoke.