title: Smoking cessation among transit workers: beliefs and perceptions among an at-risk occupational group.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transit workers, in comparison to the general population, have higher rates of smoking. Although smoking cessation programs are often available through workers' HMOs, these programs are frequently underutilized. Quitting practices, including participation in cessation programs, are often associated with beliefs about smoking behaviors and the ability to quit. We analyzed how transit workers' beliefs about cessation might function as barriers to or facilitators of participating in cessation activities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We conducted 11 focus group discussions with 71 workers (45% female; 83% African American) at an urban public transit agency. Most participants (83%) were bus operators. Only current smokers and former smokers were recruited. Both current and former smokers recognized the need to quit and some were familiar with or at least aware of cessation programs and pharmaceutical aids offered through their HMO. Many, however, believed there were factors, such as smoker's readiness to quit, recognition of the elements of addiction, and personal or observed experience with cessation, that facilitated or impeded successful quit attempts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Beliefs play an important role and influence the extent to which transit workers participate in smoking cessation. Being cognizant of and addressing these beliefs so that workers gain an informed understanding is important when designing cessation programs. Doing so may help in creating tobacco cessation efforts that are seen as both attractive and beneficial to transit workers.
authors.affiliation: Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, 180 Grand Avenue, Suite 1200, Oakland, CA, 94612, USA. rbattle@prev.org.
authors.forename: Robynn S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Battle
authors.affiliation: Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, 180 Grand Avenue, Suite 1200, Oakland, CA, 94612, USA. cunradi@prev.org.
authors.forename: Carol B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Cunradi
authors.affiliation: Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, 180 Grand Avenue, Suite 1200, Oakland, CA, 94612, USA. roland@prev.org.
authors.forename: Roland S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA. Valerie.Yerger@ucsf.edu.
authors.forename: Valerie B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Yerger
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology*