Factors Influencing Implementation of a Workplace Tobacco Cessation Intervention in India: A Qualitative Exploration

Tobacco use is projected to cause more than 8 million deaths annually worldwide by 2030 and is currently linked to 1 million annual deaths in India. Very few workplaces provide tobacco cessation as a part of occupational health in India. In this study, we examined promoters and barriers to implementing an evidence-based tobacco cessation program in a workplace setting in India.

In-depth interviews were conducted with all facilitators (two program coordinators and four counselors) of a workplace tobacco cessation intervention covering implementation efforts in five organizations, including three manufacturing units and two corporate settings.

The identified promoters for implementation of the program were as follows: (a) workplaces that provided access to many individuals, (b) high prevalence of tobacco use that made the intervention relevant, (c) core components (awareness sessions, face-to-face counseling and 6-months follow-up) that were adaptable, (d) engagement of the management in planning and execution of the intervention, (e) employees' support to each other to quit tobacco, (f) training the medical unit within the workplace to provide limited advice, and (g) efforts to advocate tobacco-free policies within the setting. Barriers centered around (a) lack of ownership from the workplace management, (b) schedules of counselors not matching with employees, (c) nonavailability of employees because of workload, and (d) lack of privacy for counseling.

This study provided practical insights into the aspects of planning, engaging, executing and the process of implementation of a tobacco cessation intervention in a workplace setting. It provided guidance for an intervention within occupational health units in similar settings.