Cigarette smoking in Connecticut: home and workplace exposure

Estimates of smoking prevalence, environmental tobacco smoke exposure patterns, and the effect of sociodemographic variables were obtained from a telephone survey of 596 randomly selected adults in Connecticut, aged 18 or older. Results of this study indicate that 21.5% of respondents smoked cigarettes, and the smoking prevalence of men was almost twice the rate of women. Smokers were disproportionately represented in lower education, income, and occupational status categories. Approximately 60% of respondents stated they do not allow smoking in their homes. Environmental tobacco smoke exposure in the home was inversely related to age, (OR = .12, P < .01) and education (OR = .23, P < .05). Persons employed in crafts, trades, or general labor occupations were three times (P = .01) more likely to work in places which allowed smoking. Although Connecticut ranks among the top 10 states with the lowest cigarette smoking prevalence rates, continued antismoking efforts targeting lower socioeconomic groups will likely further reduce smoking and environmental tobacco smoke among adults and children.