The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: Control of tobacco use in workplaces is recognized as an effective strategy to avoid environmental smoke exposure and to help smokers to quit. The objectives of this study are to describe an intervention at Allianz Portugal (private insurance company) and to present its evaluation at organizational and at smokers' level.

Methods: A tobacco control project was implemented over one year including activities for all employees (awareness and information activities and events about smoking and environmental smoke, smoking interdiction at workplace) and for smokers (“quit&win” contest, counseling, support and treatment for smokers willing to quit). At the end of the one year, a sample of 346 employees filled in a questionnaire about their behavior and their evaluation of the company situation at the beginning (T1) and in the end (T2). A group of 38 employees who accepted professional help to quit smoking were followed up.

Results: The percentage of daily smokers was 38% at T1 and 31% at T2. From 131 smokers at T1, 18% did not smoke at T2. The number of cigarettes smoked per day decreased (T1: M=19, SD=9.2; T2: M=15, SD=7.7; t=7.89, g.l.=120, p<0.000). The following statements showed a strong agreement: “knowledge about environmental tobacco smoke improved” (88%), “smoking at workplace should not be allowed” (94%), “I don't see people smoking at workplace” (76%). Almost all (99%) evaluated this project as positive. A total of 38 smokers accepted professional help offered by the company. Six months after the date of quitting, 22 (58%) were not smoking.