Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of workers in indoor bars, beer halls and discotheques towards exposure to second-hand smoking in the two cities in Swaziland
Sabelo V Dlamini, Musa C Dlamini, Londiwe D Hlope, Jameson S Siphepho, Sakhile S Masuku, Alfred F Murye, Vusie Lokotfwako
Second-hand smoking is a serious health hazard causing approximately 41000 deaths from lung cancer,
respiratory infections, asthma, coronary heart disease and stroke globally each year. Evidence suggests
that workers in bars, beer halls and discotheques are more exposed to second- hand smoking compared
to other workers in general. Protection of these workers through enactment of smoke-free legislation and
attitudes of these workers towards such legislation are key variables of compliance. This study aimed
to describe the knowledge of the adverse effects of second-hand smoking, attitudes and perceptions of
workers towards the practice. The results suggest that most workers knew what second-hand smoking
was and that it could cause lung cancer, coronary heart disease and asthma but undermined the fact that
continued exposure or exposure to low levels could lead to severe disease or death. Fifty-four percent
of the respondents showed good knowledge and 36% showed fair knowledge of the adverse effects
of exposure to second-hand smoke. Respondents mentioned lung cancer (100%), increased coughing
(90%), asthma (60%) and heart disease (30%) as possible adverse effects. The knowledge was not
different among workers who smoked and those who did not smoke (never smoked or ex- smokers)
(p=0.1041). However, both smokers and non-smokers did not believe that exposure to second-hand
smoke could lead to early death (p=0.8864). The suggestions that smoking should be banned in all indoor
workplaces was accepted by non-smokers but rejected by smokers (p=0.0001). So was the suggestion of
increasing tax on cigarettes (p<0.0001). Legislation banning smoking in indoor workplaces is contained
in the Swaziland Tobacco Products Control Act (2013) that is still waiting to be enforced and as such,
indoor smoking is not banned in the country. Sixty-seven per cent of the participants were not aware
of the existence of legislation aimed at protecting them against exposure to second-hand smoke in
indoor workplaces. It is suggested that the enforcement of the Swaziland Tobacco Control Act (2013),
which purports to impose a comprehensive ban of indoor smoking be speeded up so that indoor air
quality could improve. Mechanisms to monitor adherence to the complete ban are likely to speed up
improvement of the health of many indoor workers in bars, beer halls and discotheques that are exposed
for lengthy periods. Enforcement of the Act should include creation of programmes to create awareness
of the risks faced by the workers.
