Characterization of tobacco consumption and dependence among workers at a higher education institution

Abstract

Cross-sectional quantitative study to characterize the profile of tobacco consumption and dependence among non-teaching staff at a public university, conducted between February and August 2008. A self-administered questionnaire was used, comprising socio-demographic data, data on smoking and the Fagerström Questionnaire. The sample consisted of 149 employees. The results indicate the prevalence of smoking in 12.1% of respondents; 88.8% of smokers wish to quit smoking, but few of them are able to without appropriate support, which demonstrates the need to offer formal support for these workers to successfully achieve quitting. Also, educative prevention actions in this area need to be set up.