Results of a union-based smoking cessation intervention for apprentice iron workers (United States).
OBJECTIVE
Blue-collar workers are more likely to smoke, smoke more heavily, and have less success in quitting compared to white-collar workers, and this occupational gap is growing over time. Effective smoking cessation interventions among blue-collar workers are needed to address growing class-based disparities.


METHODS
We used a pre-post study design to test feasibility and effect size of a smoking cessation trial in a union apprenticeship training program for iron workers (n = 337). The 4-month intervention drew upon a health promotion-health protection model for smoking cessation among blue-collar workers. We conducted pairwise analyses to assess pre-post intervention differences in 7-day point prevalence smoking abstinence measured 1 month after intervention was completed. Additional secondary outcomes, including smoking frequency, intensity, intention and self-efficacy to quit, were also assessed.


RESULTS
Baseline smoking prevalence was 41%. We observed a 19.4% post-intervention quit rate among baseline smokers. There were statistically significant positive changes pre- and post-intervention in intention to quit smoking, self-efficacy to quit, and a reduction in the number of days smoked. Participation in pro-active intervention components was associated with a three-fold (OR = 3.0, 1.15, 7.83) increase in the likelihood of quitting. Overall, participation in intervention components was low.


CONCLUSIONS
Labor union apprenticeship programs represent a promising venue for smoking cessation interventions, particularly those that draw upon a health promotion-health protection model.
Barbeau
Elizabeth M
EM
Centre for Community Based, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. elizabeth_barbeau@dfci.harvard.edu
Li
Yi
Y
Calderon
Patricia
P
Hartman
Cathy
C
Quinn
Margaret
M
Markkanen
Pia
P
Roelofs
Cora
C
Frazier
Lindsay
L
Levenstein
Charles
C
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007750:Labor Unions; D008404:Massachusetts; D008875:Middle Aged; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D017132:Workplace