Tobacco Free Workplace
The costs of employee tobacco use to the employer are significant. Direct costs to the employer include healthcare costs associated with tobacco use. Indirect costs include lost productivity, absenteeism and recruitment and retraining costs resulting from death and disability related to tobacco use.
Tobacco-free workplaces can enhance productivity in two ways. The effects of secondhand smoke on nonsmokers is reduced. Additionally, smokers who are motivated to quit as a result of the tobacco-free policy will have reduced absenteeism. Especially for small businesses that have employees who handle a variety of tasks, productivity can be greatly increased by reduced absenteeism.
A smoker who quits could save his/her employer an estimated $960 in excess illness costs each year. Persons who quit smoking before age 65 are estimated to save from 40 to 67 percent of the lifetime excess medical costs of persons who continue to smoke. Smokers are absent from work 50 percent more often than nonsmokers, have twice as many on-the-job accidents, and are 50 percent more likely to be hospitalized than workers who do not smoke. Recognizing that employees of smoke-free companies may be healthier year-round, many insurers are inclined to give those companies a break on premiums. Some fire and casualty companies, for example, will cut their premiums by 50 percent.
Finally, managers in tobacco-free workplaces are relieved to have a clear process for dealing with tobacco use in the workplace. Maintenance costs go down when smoke, matches and cigarette butts are eliminated from facilities. Office equipment, carpets, and furniture last longer. Besides being wise for health-related reasons, being a tobacco-free workplace just makes good business sense!
For help creating smoke-free policies in your workplace, visit the tobacco page.
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