Eduardo de Paula Lima Ada Ávila

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence of smoking in firefighters and associated factors. METHODS: Cross sectional study of 711 firefighters in Belo Horizonte, MG, Southeastern Brazil, in 2011. The data were obtained using a self-applied structured questionnaire, which included sociodemographic characteristics, occupational stressors, health status and adverse life events. Smoking was analyzed as a dichotomous variable (multiple logistic regression). RESULTS: The prevalence of smoking among firefighters was 7.6%. Currently smoking status was associated with low levels of schooling, a monthly income in the middle band, the existence of psychiatric problems in the past, high exposure to traumatic events in life, social discrimination, occupational stressors and low demand at work. CONCLUSIONS: The low prevalence of smoking indicates the relevance of employment conditions in explaining harmful habits and health. Organizational and operational stressors contribute independently to explaining current smoking status in the population studied. DESCRIPTORS: Firefighters. Smoking. Working Conditions. Job Satisfaction. Cross-Sectional Studies. Original Articles DOI:10.1590/S0034-8910.2013047004674 2 Smoking and stressors in firefighters Lima EP et al Chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCD) are the main causes of morbimortality and functional impairment in Brazil and worldwide.3,17 In recent years, in Brazil, there has been a decrease in mortality attributable to CNCD, albeit with variations according to socioeconomic and ethnic characteristics of the groups studied.9 These results indicate the success of health care policies, but also show clear inequalities in access to services and to information.17 Smoking is a significant risk factor to CNCD with elevated mortality rates, including cancer and chronic respiratory and cardiovascular disease.7 Anti-smoking measures occur at various levels,21,22 among which, the advantages of actions developed in the locus of work are recognized.10 There is evidence of the association between occupational stressors and smoking.1,2,8,11 Twofold exposure is recorded in the emergency sector:22 negative psycho-social factors (high demand and low control at work, conflicting tasks, among others) and operational stressors (the nature of the tasks). Exposure to these stressors in the workplace has negative consequences for health6 and probably contribute to smoking, as the relationship between occupational stress and substance use is well known.5 The aim of this article is to analyze the prevalence of and factors associated with smoking in firefighters.