Smoking prevalence and knowledge,attitude toward smoking among different occupational groups in Zhangzhou city

Objective To understand somking prevalence,konwledge of smoking,passive smoking hazards and attitude toward smoking bans in public places among diferent occupational groups in Zhangzhou city of Fujian province.Methods Totally 911 persons were randomly selected at medical institutions,schools,agencies,restaurants,waiting-rooms of bus terminal,and internet bar for a face-to-face interview.Results There were 216 smokers with a smoking rate of 23.71%.Among the participants,the smoking rate was 19.81%(63/318)for medical staff,18.86%(66/350) for staff in the schools,34.38%(22/64) for personnel in the agencies,and 36.31%(65/179) for persons in restaurants,watiting-room of bus terminal,and internet bar,respectively.There were 538 persons exposed to passive smoking.The passive smoking for the four places was 59.06%.Totally more than 95% of the persons recognizing the health risk of smoking but less than 90% knowing the health risk of passive smoking.Conclusion Smoking and passive smoking rate at public places such as internet bar is higher than that of other institutions,while correct recognition rate of smoking is low.Propaganda on knowledge of smoking and hazards of passive smoking should be increased in public places.