Cigarette smoking and occupational status: 1977 to 1990

Objectives. In this study we examined the relationship between occupational status and smoking habits in men and women during the period from 1977 to 1990. Methods. Cigarette smoking and occupational history were obtained from 8045 men and women who served as controls for a hospital-based study of tobacco-related diseases. Results. There was an association between increasing occupational status and tobacco exposure in men, but not in women. The quit rate increased over time in all sex-occupational groups except for male laborers, whose quit rate remained constant. Nicotine-dependent smokers are likely to find it difficult to quit. Male nicotine-dependent smokers were consistently found in greater numbers among blue collar workers throughout the study period. Initially, female nicotine-dependent smokers were more often found among blue collar workers, but in recent years became more frequent among white collar workers. Conclusion. These trends provide clues to the future epidemiological distribution of lung cancer and other tobacco- related diseases. An understanding of gender differences in the occupational profile of cigarette smokers can provide guidelines for effective antismoking interventions.