Association of remote work with tobacco and alcohol use: a cross-sectional study in Japan

Remote work allows one to work free from workplace policy, but it may negatively affect health-related behaviors such as tobacco product use and alcohol drinking. Our study aimed to investigate the association of remote work with tobacco dependence and hazardous alcohol use.

This nationwide Internet-based survey was conducted in Japan in February 2023. Using the data of 8,292 workers aged 18 - 64, frequency of remote work (0, < 1, ≥ 1 day per week), tobacco dependence based on the scores of the Tobacco Dependence Screener ≥ 5, hazardous alcohol use based on the scores of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test ≥ 8 were assessed. Then, the associations of frequency of remote work with tobacco dependence and hazardous alcohol use were examined using a multivariable Poisson regression model.

The percentages of remote work 0, < 1, ≥ 1 day per week were 56.6%, 9.9%, and 33.5%, respectively, whereas those of tobacco dependency and hazardous alcohol use were 11.3% and 17.9%, respectively. Remote work < 1 day per week (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 1.30, 95%CI 1.07 - 1.57), and ≥ 1 per week (aPR 1.29, 95%CI 1.13 - 1.47) were associated with tobacco dependence. Further, remote work < 1 day per week (aPR 1.43, 95%CI 1.25 - 1.65), and ≥ 1 per week (aPR 1.40, 95%CI 1.27 - 1.55) were associated with hazardous alcohol use.

Remote workers showed higher prevalence of tobacco dependence and hazardous alcohol use. The health behavior of remote workers should be carefully monitored.