Use of Tobacco and Tobacco Products By Public Employees in Konya Province and the Support Status of the Tobacco Control Law

This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of the use of tobacco and tobacco products among public employees in Konya province and support for the tobacco control law. This cross-sectional, analytical study was carried out on 4,874 public employees. The participants were surveyed about the use of tobacco and tobacco products, the tobacco control law, and smoking ban in closed areas. Of the participants, 59.7% were current and/or occasional users of various tobacco products. Specifically, 36.5% of the participants were current smokers. Men smoked 2,272 times more than women (p<0.001) (Odds ratio 2.272, confidence interval 2.003-2.576). The highest frequency of smoking (54.4%) was found among the provincial police department personnel. Of the participants, 93.0% supported the ban on smoking in closed areas, and 28.3% supported increasing its coverage. The frequency of smoking among the personnel working in public institutions in our province was found to be higher than the national average. Despite this, almost all the personnel supported and implemented the smoking ban in closed areas. In-service training on smoking and its harmful effects should be increased, and those who plan to quit smoking should be supported.