Reduction in staff smoking rates in North Coast Area Health Service, NSW, following the introduction of a smoke-free workplace policy
Gavin S. Dart A , Eric K. van Beurden A B , Avigdor Zask A , Chalta Lord A , Annie M. Kia A and Ros Tokley AA Health Promotion, Population Health, Planning and Performance, North Coast Area Health Service
B Corresponding author. Email: eric.vanbeurden@ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au
NSW Public Health Bulletin 21(12) 263-266 https://doi.org/10.1071/NB10036
Published: 8 March 2011
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate changes in staff smoking rates following the implementation of Smoke Free Health Care, an innovative, change-management process that introduced a smoke-free workplace policy in the North Coast Area Health Service of NSW. Methods: Survey questionnaires were sent to all staff before and after the introduction of the policy. Return rates were 17.3% (690/3988) in 1999 and 25.4% (2012/7921) in 2007. Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to determine differences. Results: Staff smoking rates decreased significantly from 22.3% to 11.8% (p < 0.0001). Smoking rates in 1999 were not significantly different to the state population’s (22.3% and 24.1%, p = 0.3), but were significantly different in 2007 (11.8% and 20.1%, p < 0.0001). Over a quarter (27.6%) of staff who smoked when implementation began quit smoking; more than twice the rate before implementation (12%, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: These changes in staff smoking rates indicate the effectiveness of a comprehensive change-management approach to implementing smoke-free workplace policy.
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