The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: In Bulgaria the smoking rates are high and permanently raising. In addition there is a large public tolerance towards smoking on public places, including at the work places. The opinion pool survey on passive smoking at the work places attempted to assess the attitude of employers and employees towards the problem and to discuss the initiatives designed to change the passive smoking situation.

Methods: The efforts were focused on: collecting information from the staff to the Metropolitan Institute for Protection and Control of Public Health on the widespread of passive smoking at the work places; assessment of the attitude of employers and employees toward the problem; collecting information from the employees regarding their support of measures by the Managing Board of the Inspectorate aiming at changing the passive smoking situation.

Results: The survey found out that 21,9% of the smokers used to smoke in the rooms they work. Of the non-smokers 94,6% don't approve smoking in their presence at the work place. Both smokers and no-smokers reported about the smoking control actions they would support. The results encouraged the Managing board to undertake measures to achieve smoke-free work places. On the basis of the acquired information letters were written to Parliament members in order to support the ratification of the FCTC.