Foodservice Workers Most Likely to Smoke

Almost 45 percent of foodservice workers smoked at least one cigarette in the past month, the highest rate for any occupation, says a recent report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration quoted in USA Today. Overall, about 28% of U.S. workers smoked cigarettes in the past month, representing around 33.6 million individuals. Foodservice workers were followed by construction workers and miners (around 43%) while those who work in education, training and library fields were the least likely to be smokers (around 12%). Smoking declines with age, with workers aged 26-34 the most likely to light up—about 34% do, according to the report—while older workers, ages 50-64, wedre the least likely (less than 21%).