Socioeconomic and demographic differences in exposure to environmental tobacco smoke at work: the Scania Public Health Survey 2000

BACKGROUND: A study was undertaken to investigate the sociodemographic distribution of workplace exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in a Swedish working population sample. METHODS: 8,270 individuals were assessed by questionnaire in the Scania Public Health Survey. The influence of sociodemographic factors on ETS exposure at work was investigated by multivariable regression analysis. RESULTS: Individuals under 25 years old were at highest risk of ETS exposure. Male skilled manual workers and female unskilled manual workers had higher adjusted odds ratios (OR 4.0, 95% CI: 3.1-5.3 and OR 3.2, 95% CI: 2.2-4.7, respectively) of ETS exposure than non-manual high-level employees. CONCLUSIONS: ETS should be recognized as a factor contributing to health inequalities. Women of childbearing age need protective strategies.