TOBACCO AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH MiniLecture 2 Module Tobacco

TOBACCO AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH Mini-Lecture 2 Module: Tobacco and Community Medicine and Public Health

Objectives of the Mini Lecture GOAL OF MINI LECTURE: Students will learn about the health risks of working with tobacco, risks of exposure in the workplace, and the benefits of a smoke-free work environment. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Students will learn: • To understand who is at risk for workplace exposure to second-hand smoke. • To understand green tobacco sickness and its cause. • To understand the benefits of a smoke-free workplace. • To understand existing laws and policies for regarding smoke-free work environments to protect employees.

Contents Core Slides 1. Workplace Exposure to Second-hand Smoke (SHS) 2. Green Tobacco Sickness 3. Smoke-free Workplace 4. Workplace Policies: India Optional Slides 1. Green Tobacco Sickness

CORE SLIDES Tobacco and Occupational Health Mini-Lecture 2: Module: Tobacco and Community Medicine and Public Health

Workplace Exposure to Second-hand Smoke (SHS) • Anyone in a work-place environment that allows smoking is at risk. • Smoking in closed environment – more risk than smoking in open environment. • Blue collar workers more at risk than white collar workers. http: //wellergize. ca/images/workplace_wellness/smoking. jpg

Green Tobacco Sickness • Essentially a form of nicotine poisoning. 1 • Seen in tobacco workers due to dermal exposure to dissolved nicotine from wet tobacco leaves. 1 • Discoloration & nicotine poisoning in children employed in tobacco industry. 2 http: //www. ehponline. org/members/2003/111 -5/spheres. html 1. Mc. Bride et al. 1998; 2. Mc. Knight and Spiller 2005

Smoke-free Workplace http: //www. businessgrouphealth. org/tobacco/worksite/index. cfm SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACE 1. Brown 2003; 2. Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety 2011

India Workplace Policies: India 1 • Work places, including private offices, come under the definition of ‘Public place’ under COTPA 2003 and Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places 2008. • Display correct signage at appropriate places. • Designate officer to attend to violation of smoke-free rules. • Take appropriate action in case of any violation on site. 1. Government of India: The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003

OPTIONAL SLIDES Tobacco and Occupational Health Mini-Lecture 2: Module: Tobacco and Community Medicine and Public Health

Green Tobacco Sickness 1 • Onset of illness: 3– 17 hours; median onset 10 hours (if untreated, mean duration: 2. 4 days) • Self treatment: change clothing, showering, work cessation, fluid intake, rest • Medical treatment: Intravenous rehydration, anti-emetics, dimenhydrinate, supportive care • Risk reduction: Protective, water-resistant clothing; chemical-resistant gloves, boots & socks; prophylactic treatment (dimenhydrinate), improve worker awareness 1. Mc. Bride et al. 1998

The most important health message a doctor can give to patients is to quit smoking.