ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between job stress and the willingness of male workers in small and medium scale industry to cease smoking. METHODS: A structured self-reported questionnaire was used to assess each respondent's socio-demographics, job stress, and the will to cease smoking. A KOSS (Korean Occupational Stress Scale)- based questionnaire survey was conducted which targeted 4,435 male workers at 69 small and medium scale industries. 2,840 men returned these questionnaires with 1,663 of them being smokers. We analyzed 1,345 of the smoker returns. We estimated the relationship between the will to cease smoking and the employee job stress factors using logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: After adjusting for education, exercise, and tobacco use per day, the logistic regression analysis revealed a significantly positive association with the will to cease smoking and job stress. The odds ratios regarding insufficient job control were at 1.69 (95% CI, 1.26~2.27), organizational system at 1.37 (95% CI, 1.03~1.82), and lack of reward at 1.37 (95% CI, 1.03~1.82). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that job stress may play a significant role in the will to cease smoking. Further preventive efforts and studies are needed in order to reduce job stress.