Study of the relationship between smoking habits and perceived work stress

Introduction. Smoking and occupational stress are significant health issues. In Spain, tobacco causes 13% of annual deaths. Occupational stress, linked to psychosocial risks, is a recognized concern. The main objective is to analyze and understand the relationship between smoking habits and perceived occupational stress in workers at Ceuta Hospital. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study using SPSS-10 data was conducted on a sample of 276 workers stratified across 17 professional categories. Data were collected through three questionnaires: a general one with sociodemographic variables, the Fagerström questionnaire, and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Results. The sample is mostly female (70%) with an average age of 47. 60% do not experience anxiety, stress, or depression, while 40% do. The PSS-10 scale yielded a mean of 16.24. Staff with fixed shifts showed higher stress (16.38). Those on 17-hour shifts scored the highest (21 points). Separated individuals experience more stress by civil status (average 19.80). Among professional categories, social workers lead (average 20.00). In smoking, 23.9% smoke, with laundry workers being more common (50%). The relationship between stress and dependence in smokers is not significant (p=0.121). 74.2% smoke during working hours. Conclusions: There is no increased need to smoke due to occupational stress. Differences in smoking habits among professional categories underscore the importance of preventive strategies. Prioritizing activities to quit smoking will be emphasized.