Employee smoking behavior changes and attitudes following a restrictive policy on worksite smoking in a large company.

A Connecticut insurance company adopted a policy prohibiting smoking in all work areas. Three months later, the authors assessed smoking behavior changes and attitudes of a sample of 1,210 employees, 56.6 percent of the total. The survey showed that the policy of no smoking in the work areas did not markedly affect smoking cessation, that it reduced cigarette consumption for those who continued to smoke, that those who previously smoked most were most likely to reduce consumption, and that despite negative feelings about the policy by smokers, only 29 percent of smokers and 4 percent of nonsmokers wanted a worksite smoking policy eliminated. During the 1-year prepolicy period, smoking prevalence decreased from 25.2 percent to 23.6 percent of the sample. During the 3-month postpolicy period, smoking prevalence decreased to 22.0 percent. During the prepolicy period, consumption did not change significantly (from 0.99 to 0.95 packs per day) and few smokers increased (11 percent) or decreased (13 percent) consumption. During the postpolicy period, consumption decreased by 32 percent to 0.67 packs per day, and 12 times as many smokers decreased (44 percent) as increased (3.5 percent) consumption. Of those who smoked at least two packs per day, 93 percent smoked less after the policy. Among nonsmokers, 70 percent thought the policy had a positive overall effect on the work environment, compared with 19 percent of smokers.

Pseudomonas species contamination of cystic fibrosis patients' home inhalation equipment.

A prevalence study was undertaken to determine whether aerosol equipment used at home by patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) could provide a reservoir for Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Pseudomonas cepacia. Home maintenance of this equipment was also evaluated for its relationship to contamination. In nine of 36 patients, Pseudomonas species were isolated from one or more pieces of home equipment. Only patients colonized with P. aeruginosa had contaminated equipment. P. aeruginosa was recovered from equipment used by five patients; no P. cepacia was recovered. Aerosolization masks were the most commonly contaminated pieces of equipment (20%), followed by nebulizers (17%), medication syringes (10%), connective tubing (6%), and saline solution (4%). Nebulizers and syringes were significantly more likely to be contaminated if they had been in use for 1 month or longer; nebulizers and masks were more likely to be contaminated if they were cleaned or were rinsed only with tap water after use. We conclude that equipment may serve as a reservoir to reintroduce or perpetuate colonization of some patients with CF, but that contamination of equipment with P. aeruginosa is not common.