Tobacco use has declined in the U.S. and Canada but remains high among construction workers. The latest national survey data showed that 34 percent of construction workers use some form of tobacco product compared to 22 percent of all adults. Almost a quarter of construction workers are cigarette smokers, with 7.5 percent of workers using two or more types of tobacco products.
Tobacco harms nearly every organ of the body and reduces overall health in many ways. Tobacco use can result in serious diseases and health problems, including cancer, heart disease, lung disease, reproductive complications and vision problems. Tobacco is responsible for one of every three cancer deaths in the U.S. and Canada.
Exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke can lead to serious health problems for non-smokers, even in people who otherwise take excellent care of themselves. Secondhand and thirdhand smoke can cause heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory problems in adults and health problems in infants and children.
Helping people quit tobacco use can improve their health and the health of their loved ones, friends and co-workers. Quitting can be a challenging journey. For those who are not yet ready to quit smoking completely, switching to less harmful forms of nicotine such as oral lozenges and pouches can reduce exposure to some harmful chemicals. In the workplace, an effective harm reduction method is to establish a smoke-free work environment. Efforts to address tobacco use are taking place at the federal, state and local level. The Fund addresses tobacco use through a variety of programs and materials designed to promote quitting tobacco among adults and reducing exposure to secondhand smoke both on the job and at home.
