Benefits of a Smoke-free Workplace
According to a recent World Health Organization ( WHO ) study , smoking costs the global economy more than $ 1 trillion per year in health care costs and lost productivity . Furthermore , the number of tobacco-related deaths is projected to increase from 6 million to 8 million annually by 2030 .
Tobacco usage is the most preventable cause of death globally . Still , the number of smokers worldwide is rising . Employees who smoke not only put their own health at risk , but also risk the health of their co-workers through secondhand smoke .
There are numerous benefits to having a smoke-free workplace , including the following :
• A smoke-free workplace reduces the risk of lung cancer for smokers and for those exposed to secondhand smoke ( exposure increases the risk of lung cancer by 12-19 percent ).
• Being smoke-free reduces the risks of heart disease , stroke and upper respiratory infections .
• A smoke-free workforce helps your company ’ s bottom line , since employees who smoke cost their employers significantly more in medical expenditures , property insurance and workers ’ compensation than nonsmoking employees .
• Health insurance rates for nonsmokers are about one-and-a-half times lower than the rates for smokers .
• Employees who do not smoke take fewer sick days . Smokers miss an average of 6.2 days per year as a result of illness , whereas nonsmokers only miss an average of 3.9 days .
• Nonsmokers tend to have more energy , improved focus , whiter teeth , fresher breath , and increased senses of smell and taste .