Effectiveness of Workplace-Based Tobacco Awareness Interventions on Quit Readiness Among Bus Drivers: A Randomized Comparative Pilot Trial

Introduction Tobacco use significantly contributes to the occurrence of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, preventing tobacco use is very important to reduce these health risks. Groups that have jobs (such as bus drivers) have increased susceptibility to tobacco use based on extended work hours, workplace-related stress, sedentary job activities, and social peer pressure, all of which can increase the likelihood of tobacco use. Tobacco education programs that are located at the workplace provide a good opportunity for educating workers about smoking cessation and increasing their knowledge, motivation, and readiness to stop using tobacco. Aim This study aims to determine whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based tobacco education programs or basic health education (BHE) tobacco education programs are effective for increasing quit readiness among bus drivers. Methods A randomized comparative pilot trial compared CBT and BHE interventions on quit readiness among 40 active male smoker bus drivers. Participants were randomized into a CBT-based tobacco awareness program (n = 20) or a BHE-based program (n = 20). The transtheoretical model (TTM) stages of change were assessed at baseline, four weeks, and six months using the validated stages of change questionnaire. Results Baseline stage distributions were comparable (p = 0.751). At four weeks, the CBT group showed significantly greater progression toward the preparation and action stages (p = 0.033). At six months, the CBT group demonstrated substantially greater advancement toward the action and maintenance stages (p = 0.001). Conclusion Workplace-based tobacco awareness programs incorporating CBT were more effective than BHE in enhancing quit readiness, as measured by TTM stage progression, among bus drivers. These findings should be interpreted with caution, given the pilot design, reliance on self-reported outcomes, and the absence of biochemical verification of cessation. Larger, multicenter trials with longer follow-up and objective cessation measures are needed to confirm these results.