Work Site Smoking Cessation: A Meta- Analysis of Long-Term Quit Rates from Controlled Studies

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Abstract
Meta-analytic techniques were applied to 20 controlled studied of work site smoking cessation yielding a total of 34 comparisons of long-term (average = 12 months) quit rate (QR). An overall weighted mean effect size (ES) of .21 .+-. .07 was found, indicating a modest but significant overall effect (P < .01). The weighted average follow-up QR from all interventions was 13%. Based on previous research, characteristics associated with interventions, work sites, employees, and research methodology were identified as potential moderator variables. Apart from methodological variables, interventions conducted in smaller work sites (ES = .45 .+-. .17), which lasted 2 to 6 hours (ES = .42 .+-. .13), which contained heavy smokers (ES = .26 .+-. .07) were asociated with the largest effect sizes. We were also interested in absolute quite rates. After controlling for methodological quality, programs that include a cessation group component (partial r = .39), that were not overly complicated (partial r = .42), and that shared company and employee time (partial r = .48), as well as the above variables had the strongest association with QR. Implications for public health policy and future research are discussed.