Smoking cessation intervention using stepwise exercise incentives for male workers in the workplace

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Workplace health promotion programs are crucial for employee well-being.
• Smoking cessation interventions in occupational settings require effective strategies.
• Previous research indicates a need for innovative approaches to smoking cessation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel stepwise exercise-incentive-based smoking cessation program.
• To assess the program's impact on smoking cessation rates within an electronics company in Korea.
• To identify factors influencing smoking cessation success in a corporate environment.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 109 employees from an electronics company.
• Participants received smoking cessation education and a tiered fitness center incentive.
• Data collected included smoking history, nicotine dependence, and job stress levels.

Main Results:

• A 53.2% (58/109) successful smoking cessation rate was observed after 3 months.
• Lower daily cigarette consumption and nicotine dependence scores were associated with cessation success.
• Job stress levels did not significantly differ between successful and unsuccessful quitters.

Conclusions:

• The stepwise exercise-incentive-based smoking cessation program demonstrated high effectiveness in a workplace setting.
• The program offers a viable model for corporate smoking cessation initiatives.
• Further research may explore predictors of success in similar interventions.