Smoking Rate Trends in U.S. Occupational Groups: The 1987 to 2004 National Health Interview Survey.

Original Articles

Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine. 49(1):75-81, January 2007.
Lee, David J. PhD; Fleming, Lora E. MD, PhD; Arheart, Kristopher L. EdD; LeBlanc, William G. PhD; Caban, Alberto J. MPH; Chung-Bridges, Katherine MD, MPH; Christ, Sharon L. MS; McCollister, Kathryn E. PhD; Pitman, Terry BS

Abstract:
Objective: It is unknown if the gap in smoking rates observed between United States blue- and white-collar workers over the past four decades has continued into the new millennium.

Methods: The National Health Interview Survey is a nationally representative survey of the US civilian population. Smoking and current occupational status were assessed over survey periods 1987 to 1994 and 1997 to 2004 (n= 298,042).

Results: There were significant annual reductions in smoking rates for all adult US workers in both survey periods. Several blue-collar groups had greater annual smoking rate reductions in the most recent survey period relative to the earlier survey period. However, the majority of blue-collar worker groups had pooled 1997 to 2004 smoking rates in excess of the 24.5% smoking prevalence noted for all workers.

Conclusion: Development of effective smoking prevention strategies specifically targeting blue-collar groups is warranted.

(C)2007The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine