title: Demographic and geographic differences in exposure to secondhand smoke in Missouri workplaces, 2007-2008.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  African Americans, Hispanics, service and blue-collar workers, and residents of rural areas are among those facing higher rates of workplace secondhand smoke exposure in states without smokefree workplace laws. Consequently, these groups also experience more negative health effects resulting from secondhand smoke exposure. The objective of this study was to examine disparities in workplace secondhand smoke exposure in a state without a comprehensive statewide smokefree workplace law and to use this information in considering a statewide law.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed a logistic multilevel model by using data from a 2007-2008 county-level study to account for individual and county-level differences in workplace secondhand smoke exposure. We included sex, age, race, annual income, education level, smoking status, and rural or urban residence as predictors of workplace secondhand smoke exposure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Factors significantly associated with increased exposure to workplace secondhand smoke were male sex, lower education levels, lower income, living in a small rural or isolated area, and current smoking. For example, although the overall rate of workplace exposure in Missouri is 11.5%, our model predicts that among young white men with low incomes and limited education living in small rural areas, 40% of nonsmokers and 56% of smokers may be exposed to secondhand smoke at work.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant disparities exist in workplace secondhand smoke exposure across Missouri.  A statewide smokefree workplace law would protect all citizens from workplace secondhand smoke exposure.
authors: George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis, Campus Box 1196, One Brookings Dr, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA. jharris@brownschool.wustl.edu
authors: Jenine K
authors: JK
authors: Harris
authors: Caroline
authors: C
authors: Geremakis
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Moreland-Russell
authors: Bobbi J
authors: BJ
authors: Carothers
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Kariuki
authors: Sarah C
authors: SC
authors: Shelton
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Kuhlenbeck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008923:Missouri / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017132:Workplace
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution