SMOKING CONTROL IN THE WORKPLACE - IS WORKPLACE SIZE-RELATED TO RESTRICTIONS AND PROGRAMS

Regarding smoking control in the workplace, small independent operatio ns may differ from large workplaces of from small worksites that are b ranch units of large companies/organizations. We examined the relation ships of worksite and company size to workplace smoking restrictions a nd programs, using data from a population-based telephone survey. Thre e worker groups, differentiated by worksite and company size, were com pared. Small workplace workers were least knowledgeable about smoking restrictions, reported fewer restrictions in place, and were least wil ling to intervene in coworker's smoking. As well, smoking-related prog rams, although generally uncommon, were reported least often by these workers. Branch workers were not uniformly similar to either small or large workplace workers. In policy and program interventions, organiza tional influences and/or attributes of individuals drawn to different- size work settings should be considered.