Social work and the development of a smoke-free society.

Extract

---

Social work and the development of a smoke-free society.

The goal of health for all by the year 2000 ("The Meaning of," 1978) is congruent with the Swedish concept, originated in the early 1970s, of the first smoke-free generation (Canadian Initiatives, 1983; Roemer, 1982). In the United States and Canada, educational programs are aiming for a generation of nonsmokers by the year 2000 (Break Free, 1987; "Drug Abuse," 1991; "State Coalitions," 1990; Wynder, 1988). Expectations for the year 2000 are high, and nonsmoking may become the norm. How will social work have contributed to the development of a smoke-free society?

The question arises because social work's alliance with health restoration, maintenance, and promotion is well established (Shannon, 1989; Weick, 1986). Yet social work's participation in the creation of a smoke-free North American society is virtually unknown, and a social work literature on smoking does not exist. Social workers have undoubtedly counseled individuals about their smoking practices, offered smoking cessation programs (Bultz, Scott, & Taenzer, 1988), and participated in the development of organizational and governmental policies related to tobacco. Nonetheless, the lack of any public proclamation by social work of interest in this major health issue warrants exploration. This article considers the factors that may account for social work's low profile and proposes activities ranging from direct services to policy development and legislation. It provides social workers with information about the harm caused by cigarette smoking and offers a rationale for social work involvement in the creation of a smoke-free society. The rationale is based on an examination of the extensive literature on smoking.

Trends in Smoking Behavior

The history of the tobacco industry in North America; its promulgation by advertising; the emergence of antismoking forces; and the ensuing battle over recruitment of children, adolescents, and young women into smoking are well documented (Diehl, 1969; Sobel, 1978; Wynder, 1988). However, changes in smoking behavior since 1965 indicate that smoking may become the exception by the year 2000 (Active Health Report on Alcohol, 1989). According to Grise (cited in "Smoking at 47-Year Low," 1989), current American per capita consumption of cigarettes is the lowest since 1942. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in 1987, 25.2 percent of those surveyed smoked (cited in Sperling, 1989). In Canada the percentage of regular smokers has declined from 43 p...

See the full content of this document

---