Smoking among factory workers in Kota Bharu, Kelantan

Abstract

A survey of 192 factory workers in Kota Bharu Kelantan was carried out to determine the prevalence of smoking and factors associated with it, using a self administered questionnaire. The prevalence of smoking were 58.1 % for male workers and 3.1% for female workers. The majority of smokers started their habits while in primary school. 32.5% of the smokers were classified as heavy smokers and 67.5% as regular smokers. The main reasons cited for smoking were 'smoking helps to release tension' and 'smoking helps them face their problems'. Although a bigger number of the smokers (37.5%) smokes mainly at home, 25.0% mainly smokes at the workplace. This is quite alarming in terms of risks of smoking at the workplace and the issue of workplace environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Measures to control smoking in the workplace should be component of workplace health practice and be strictly enforced.