Management of tobacco smoking in the prison service units – The effects of the health promotion program

摘要

Background: In 2014 the health promotion program aimed at managing personnel smoking was implemented in the Polishprison service (PS) in cooperation with the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM). It combined education of managers,encouraging them to implement good practices, with employees’ education. This paper describes the process of implementationand its effects in 159 units of PS, against the data on the management of smoking in medium and large companies in Polandgathered in 2010. Material and Methods: Situations concerning smoking management in PS units before and after a half-yearprogram implementation were compared. Data were gathered using self-diagnosis questionnaires (initial and final assessments)collectively filled in by representatives of management and employees. Results: Due to the program implementation there was anincrease in the percentage of PS units with known number of smoking employees (19% vs. 61%), consultions on formal smokingregulations with personnel (14% vs. 57%), minimal antismoking medical interventions (46% vs. 59%), and assessments of effectsof antismoking activities (14% vs. 55%). There was also increase in the number of PS units with personnel totally obeying smokingregulations (28% vs. 41%) and decrease in those where such rules are not completely met (9% vs. 7%). In 3/4 PS units there was anincrease in employees’ interest in quitting smoking and in 40% of them employees smoke less at work. Almost every second unithas set up a health promotion team. Conclusions: In many aspects the program has brought along satisfying effects and allowedfor depicting areas of improvement. Its scheme and tools can be used, after adaptation, in interventions concerning other healthproblems in workplaces. Med Pr 2016;67(5):605–621