Trends in U.S. Smoking Rates in Occupational Groups: The National Health Interview Survey 1987–1994

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Abstract
Learning Objectives Identify current rates of cigarette smoking in 209 occupations, and ways in which occupation and gender interact to determine smoking rates. Describe trends in smoking rates over the years 1987–1994, and characterize those occupational groups in which rates increased or declined in this period. Describe possible job-related measures for lowering prevalence rates of cigarette smoking. It is unknown if reductions in U.S. adult smoking rates are uniform across occupational groups. The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is a multistage area probability cross-sectional survey of the U.S. civilian population. Data on occupational and smoking status were collected on 141,122 adult participants from the 1987, 1988, and 1990 –1994 NHIS annual surveys. Overall smoking rates ranged from 58% in roofers to 4% in physicians, with higher rates found among blue collar professions. There were reductions in smoking from 1987–1994 within 72% of occupational groups; 19 of these downward trends were significant and occurred exclusively within white collar professions. Blue collar workers continue to smoke in large numbers, whereas white collar workers report lower rates along with corresponding significant downward trends in rates among selected occupational groups. The development of effective smoking prevention strategies targeting blue collar groups is needed.