1.6 Smoking by occupational group

Measurements of smoking prevalence by occupational level show that overall, for both sexes, blue collar workers smoke more than white collar workers (Table 1.5). For males of all occupational groups, the 1992 prevalence estimates are significantly lower than those found in 1980. Among women, between 1980 and 1992 there was a significant decrease in the proportion of smokers in upper blue and upper white collar occupations.

Table 1.5: Smoking rates by occupational level and sex
Occupational	Male %
level	1980	1983	1986	1989	1992	1995
LBC	47	43	42	43	38	41
UBC	45	40	35	32	29	27
LWC	36	32	31	27	27	24
UWC	30	32	23	20	20	19
	Female %
	1980	1983	1986	1989	1992	1995
LBC	30	36	36	31	31	32
UBC	32	30	29	28	24	23
LWC	29	28	28	26	25	21
UWC	31	25	17	22	14	17
Note: LBC = Lower blue collar: semi-skilled, unskilled and farm workers, and unemplyed, pensioners and housewives not stating a previous occupation. UBC = Upper blue collar: skilled manual worker LWC = Lower white collar: clerical, sales UWC = Upper white collar: professional, managerial, farmer. Source: Hill et al 5, Hill and White 6, Hill and Gray 14, 15, Hill 16, Hill et al 6a.

The tobacco industry is well aware of its major market: according to Mr David Bacon, a former executive with WDHO Wills, concerns about smoking are a phenomenon of the middle and upper classes -- 'It is not an issue with blue-collar workers or out in the western suburbs'.(17) Given the differences in smoking trends between occupational groups, it is reasonable to expect these groups to exhibit differing disease rates (see Chapter 3, Section 17). In addition, workplace smoking restrictions have been shown to have an effect on consumption rates among smokers. In time, reduced consumption rates will be reflected in reduced disease rates (see also Chapter 6, Section 8).

A national survey of smoking behaviour among Australian medical practitioners in general practice has shown that fewer than 9% of males and 4% of females are smokers, and that only 4% of doctors aged under 30 smoke.(18) Physicians surveyed in the United States have shown similar rates,(19) and as few as 2-3% of Australian medical students are current smokers.(20) On the assumption that doctors are more informed about the dangers of smoking than any other occupational group in the community, this may indicate the lowest 'baseline' smoking rate which can be reasonably expected in a fully informed community.