Results of a survey questionnaire concerning smoking conditions in 54 major Japanese pharmaceutical companies and among their employees]

BACKGROUND: Despite progress in the prohibition of smoking in many hospitals, some medical representatives (MRs) still visit hospitals smelling of tobacco smoke. As few broad studies of the actual smoking conditions in pharmaceutical companies and among their employees have been conducted, this issue warrants investigation. METHODS: A total of 54 area offices. 155 branch offices, and 4610 employees of 54 major Japanese pharmaceutical companies that conduct business in the Tohno area of Gifu Prefecture were investigated using a questionnaire survey regarding smoking conditions. RESULTS: The results of the survey questionnaire distributed to pharmaceutical companies (response rate, 100.0%) indicated that 12.4% and 43.5% of offices have already prohibited smoking in the entire building or in offices, respectively. In addition, 31.6% of the offices have established separate smoking areas. The results of the individual employee questionnaire (response rate, 98.2%) indicated that 1805 employees (39.9%) smoke (including 1759 male smokers, 44.8%). The smoking rate among MRs (41.0%) was significantly higher than among non-MRs (31.1%) (p< 0.0001), while the smoking rate among managers (42.8%) was also higher than among non-managers (39.1%) (p = 0.0041). Tobacco is most frequently consumed by MRs in their business cars (57.8%) and while driving (42.1%). CONCLUSION: 87.5% of the companies have already established efficacious non-smoking conditions. However, the smoking rate among employees of major Japanese pharmaceutical companies, including MRs, remains high, suggesting that appropriate actions should be taken in order to promote smoking cessation of all smokers.