[Exposure to passive smoking of hospital employees and attitude to smoking at workplaces in 1992].

The aim of the study was to investigate exposure to passive smoking at work and the attitudes towards smoking at work among Danish hospital employees. It was carried out as a cross-sectional questionnaire study in collaboration with Bispebjerg Hospital and Tobaksskaderådet, to which 3154 (84%) employees responded. Results showed that 40% of the employees were exposed to passive smoking at work. Fifty-seven percent of the non-smokers and 14% of the smokers had symptoms associated with exposure to tobacco smoke. Every third employee complained of headache, coughing, eye irritation or breathlessness, and most were worried about the possible long term impact on health of passive smoking. In conclusion, surprisingly many employees are unwillingly exposed to the effects of passive smoking during working hours. Rules on smoking restriction are needed at the Danish health institutions to ensure the right to work in an environment free of tobacco smoke.