TY - JOUR T1 - Smoking prevalence and practice in special categories: Taxi drivers JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 40 IS - Suppl 56 SP - P4085 AU - Ioana Munteanu AU - Florin Mihaltan AU - Daniela Ivascu Y1 - 2012/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P4085.abstract N2 - The goal of the survey was to estimate the prevalence of tobacco consumption on taxi drivers and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in cabs. The study is important because it is the first one made in Romania on this topic and there are a few of them reported in medical publication.There are decisions of local counsel on banning smoking in taxis for both driver and customer. The date were collected from a 5-10 min questioner which contain demographic data, Fagerström Nicotine Dependence Scale and questions regarding smoking practice in the car. The questioners were directly distribute to taxi drivers from three large taxi companies from Bucharest. Results:100 questioners were collect for statistical analysis from 400 taxi divers. The lot was made by 94%men and 6%women; average age37.79 ±9.89years; driving experience averaged 7.67± 4.55years.hey work in shifts: 7.1% only in day, 63.6% in night and 29.3% in alternative. The work years on night shift average were 3.9± 3.86. Smokers 70.7%, (average age 38.04± 9.78years) Exsmokers 10.1%, Nonsmokers 19.2%. Number of cigarettes/day (0-5) 15.7%, 10/20 68.6% and > 20% 15.7%. Nicotine dependence was high, 70% of smoker light their cigarette in the first 5 minutes of waking. 35% of smoke in the taxi, if the customer doesn't express his opinion regarding smoking. Conclusions The prevalence of smoking is higher than the national average (30%). The study group consists of young people who work at night and have a high dependence on nicotine. There is company internal rules that bans smoking, so many taxi drivers refrain from smoking in taxis, but not when they don' t have client. Smoke free policy can support a smoking cessation program among them. ER -