Efficacy of tobacco dependence treatment in the context of a "smoke-free grounds" worksite policy: a case study.
BACKGROUND
Smoking restrictions provide opportunities to modify smoking behavior. A large insurance company implemented a smoke-free grounds policy at two of their office complexes in January, 2000.


METHODS
This cohort study evaluated the impact of the smoke-free grounds policy on abstinence among 128 employees who participated in a tobacco dependence treatment program.


RESULTS
The overall quit rate at 6 months was 44.5%. The larger complex showed a trend for higher quit rates compared to the smaller complex (46.5 vs. 28.6%). Post-ban participants had higher quit rates than pre-ban participants (52.4 vs. 43.0%). The probability of abstinence at 6 months follow-up was higher for post-ban compared to pre-ban participants (P = 0.03). Post-ban participants were 80% less likely to relapse than pre-ban participants. Non-quitters decreased their consumption by 6.6 cigarettes/day (39.1% decrease).


CONCLUSIONS
A "smoke-free grounds" policy encourages abstinence and may play a significant role in harm reduction among continuing tobacco users.
Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Sciences Institute, Piscataway, 08854, USA. oosinubi@eohsi.rutgers.edu
Omowunmi Y O
OY
Osinubi
Sharmila
S
Sinha
Elisheva
E
Rovner
Marla
M
Perez-Lugo
Neetu J
NJ
Jain
Kitaw
K
Demissie
Maurice
M
Goldman
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009515:New Jersey; D016272:Occupational Health; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D017132:Workplace