Background: A study was undertaken to investigate the sociodemographic distribution of workplace exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in a Swedish working population sample. Methods: 8,270 individuals were assessed by questionnaire in the Scania Public Health Survey. The influence of sociodemographic factors on ETS exposure at work was investigated by multivariable regression analysis. Results: Individuals under 25 years old were at highest risk of ETS exposure. Male skilled manual workers and female unskilled manual workers had higher adjusted odds ratios (OR 4.0, 95% CI: 3.1 - 5.3 and OR 3.2, 95% CI: 2.2 - 4.7, respectively) of ETS exposure than non-manual high-level employees. Conclusions: ETS should be recognized as a factor contributing to health inequalities. Women of childbearing age need protective strategies.
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