Clean indoor air policies in Wisconsin workplaces.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the nature and extent of workplace environmental tobacco smoke exposures in Wisconsin.


METHODS
Descriptive data and confidence intervals from the Current Population Survey tobacco supplements of 1995-1996 and 1998-1999 are presented.


RESULTS
The percent of indoor workers working under a smoke-free policy increased slightly, from 62% in 1995-1996 to 65% in 1998-1999. Respondents with a college degree were more likely to work under a smoke-free policy than those with a high school education or less. Among respondents with a work policy in 1998-1999, a complete ban on smoking reduced any workplace exposure in the past 2 weeks (4%) compared to a partial ban (26%) or an unrestricted policy (30%).


CONCLUSIONS
Wisconsin has seen a small increase in workplace policies that ban smoking in the workplace. These policies are more likely to protect workers of higher socioeconomic status and may increase health disparities in tobacco-related diseases in the future.
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, USA.
Clare E
CE
Guse
Anne M
AM
Marbella
Peter M
PM
Layde
Ann
A
Christiansen
Patrick
P
Remington
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016134:Organizational Policy; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014922:Wisconsin; D017132:Workplace
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution