Actions reducing tobacco smoking at the workplace--do larger and richer companies solve the problem better?

Workplaces are an important subject of state policy regarding smoking. They are obliged to comply with the prohibition of smoking in public places, except special smoking-rooms--if the employer decides to create such. This paper discusses the Polish enterprises activity in relation to smoking, according to new legal obligations and principles of health promotion programs. Furthermore, the article raises the question whether companies' size and economic situation differentiate their attitude to smoking.

1002 interviews (computer-assisted telephone interview - CATI) conducted in November/December 2010 (date of entry into force of the new law regarding smoking at the workplace) in a representative sample workplace employing above 50 employees.

A total smoking prohibition applies in 23% of companies, smoking is allowed only in special smoking-rooms and outside the building in 54% of enterprises, in 23% of companies regulations are inconsistent with the state policy (for example smoking allowed in the corridors). Apart from smoking bans, companies introduce disciplinary punishments for breaking them and health education (in the absence of other activities promoting non-smoking). In one in three companies' the management does not enforce the compliance with the introduced regulations. Generally, the management does not see a connection between employees smoking and the functioning of the company. In every second company, employees to a greater or lesser extent break the smoking ban. Companies' economic situation does not differentiate their attitude to the problem, the size of employment only slightly.

The results obtained can be used for future evaluation of the effectiveness of the state tobacco control policy and proper direction of the programs aimed at releasing companies from smoke as well as campaigns prepared for employers.