At a glance
Tobacco cigarette smoking is driven in large part by nicotine addiction. It remains a leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the U.S. While the number of workers who smoke or are exposed to secondhand smoke at work has declined, exposure and health risks continue in workplaces.
Tobacco smoking and working adults
Workers who smoke tobacco or work in places where smoking is allowed are at risk of being exposed to harmful chemicals found in tobacco and tobacco smoke. While fewer people are smoking these days, and many workplaces have rules against smoking, millions of workers still smoke, and some workplaces still allow it.
The Surgeon General's Report: Eliminating Tobacco-Related Disease and Death shows that during 2020-2021, an estimated one in five working adults used some form of tobacco. Cigarettes were the tobacco product most commonly used. Cigarette smoking was highest among workers:
- With less than a high school education
- With no health insurance
- Living below the federal poverty level
- Aged 35–54 years
Industries raking the highest for cigarette smoking included:
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Utilities
- Accommodation and Food Service
When reviewed by gender, 12.8% of working men smoked cigarettes compared to 9.5% of working women.
Also during 2020-2021, an estimated 7.3 million U.S. workers used other combustible tobacco products including cigars, cigarillos, or smoking tobacco in pipes, water pipes, or hookahs. Industries using the highest amount of these products included:
- Wholesale Trade
- Information
- Transportation and Warehousing
Electronic vaping products
Using tobacco products such as electronic vaping products (EVPs) has increased over the years. From 2020 to 2021, an estimated 7.4 million U.S. workers used e-cigarettes. EVPs was highest among workers in these industries:
- Accommodation and Food Services
- Retail Trade
- Information
As of June 2024, 21 states have passed laws prohibiting e-cigarettes in workplaces. Employers can enact policies that restrict smoking and using tobacco products at work. In a survey of U.S. employees, 48% reported their employer had a written policy addressing e-cigarettes. The majority (74%) supported e-cigarette-free workplaces, including 54% of current e-cigarette users.
Secondhand smoke
Secondhand smoke is smoke exposure that comes from a burning tobacco product and is what smokers breathe out. It can be harmful to those who do not smoke. The Current Intelligence Bulletin 67: Promoting Health and Preventing Disease and Injury Through Workplace Tobacco Policies states that smoke-free policies have reduced or removed exposure to secondhand smoke in many workplaces. However, millions of nonsmoking workers remain unprotected. According to the CDC, smokefree policies prohibiting indoor smoking is the only way to fully protect nonsmoking workers from secondhand exposure. For more information, visit the CDC's About Secondhand Smoke website.
Smokeless tobacco
Smokeless tobacco includes:
- Chewing tobacco
- Dip
- Snuff
- Snus
Because the tobacco is not smoked, many perceive it as being safer than smoking. However, smokeless tobacco still contains highly addictive nicotine. It also contains many of the same harmful chemicals found in cigarettes. Smokeless tobacco can cause:
- Mouth cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Oral disease
Smokeless tobacco use may also increase the risk of death from heart disease and stroke.
During 2020-2021, an estimated 2.5 million U.S. workers used smokeless tobacco. The following industries ranked highest for using smokeless tobacco:
- Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
- Utilities
- Construction
Workplace recommendations
Addressing risks of smoking and tobacco use in workplaces can improve overall worker health. Below are recommendations provided in Current Intelligence Bulletin 67: Promoting Health and Preventing Disease and Injury Through Workplace Tobacco Policies.
Employers
Employers should take the following actions:
-Establish and maintain smoke-free workplaces that protect workers from secondhand exposures. Smoke-free workplaces should be established in concert with tobacco cessation support programs. Smoke-free zones should include:
- Indoor areas
- Areas outside building entrances and ventilation air intakes
- Work vehicles
-Comply with current OSHA and MSHA regulations that prohibit or limit smoking.
-Provide information on tobacco-related health risks and benefits of quitting to all employees, contractors, and volunteers.
-Provide information on employer-provided and publicly available tobacco cessation services to all employees, contractors, and volunteers.
Workers
Workers who smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products should take the following actions:
-Comply with all workplace tobacco policies.
-Ask about available employer-provided tobacco cessation programs and cessation-related health insurance benefits.
-Quit using tobacco products. Quitting is beneficial at any age, but the earlier, the greater the benefits.
Legislation
There are 28 states and the District of Columbia that have adopted smoking legislation. It requires non-hospitality workplaces, restaurants, and bars to be completely smoke-free. The State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation (STATE) System website provides more information.