Smoking in the Workplace

As health concerns increase, more and more workplaces are going smoke-free. The days when smoking in the workplace was as accepted as drinking coffee are long gone. Concerns about the impact of second-hand smoke and the comfort of non-smokers have prompted most states to enact laws, commonly called "clean indoor air laws",that severely restrict smoking in the workplace. Employers concerned about their employees are able to improve their health and help them be more productive by creating smoke-free workplaces. Many state and local governments now require workplaces to be smoke-free. Both smoking and non-smoking employees may be helped by such policies.

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH SMOKING AT THE WORKPLACE Absenteeism: On average, smokers are absent 50 percent more often than nonsmokers. Costs for these absences include temporary replacements and lowered productivity and morale among employees who are on the job and must cope with the absences. Productivity: One has only to visualize the smoking ritual to realize the time lost by smokers. Although smokers sometimes claim they are more productive than nonsmokers because smoking allows them time to reflect on their work goals, smokers overall are less productive. Increased medical costs: Its generally recognized that smokers have more health problems than nonsmokers. They are vulnerable to such diseases as asthma, tuberculosis etc and thus health care costs become and expensive for the business. Second hand smoke forces nonsmokers to inhale toxic chemicals from cigarettes. This may result in the development of various respiratory ailments which ultimately spirals the cost of medical care. Insurance: It is costly to take a health insurance policy for smokers as compared to an insurance policy for nonsmokers. Increased accidents: Smokers have twice the accident rate of nonsmokers due in part to loss of attention, smoking hand occupied, eye irritation, and cough. There is also the increased risk of fire. Increased Ventilation costs: Most regulations require that organizations put in place adequate ventilation. Higher ventilation rates are specified for spaces where smoking is permitted because tobacco smoke is one of the most difficult contaminants to control at the source. Requirements for outdoor air are two to three times greater when smoking is a factor, and filters must be cleaned or changed much more frequently.

Increased Maintenance Costs: Employers who have not banned smoking report dramatic increases in the maintenance costs of their businesses. There is increased cleaning required, furniture and drapes do not last longer and have to be cleaned often, office equipment, carpets, and furniture dont last longer.

Role of employers in curbing this menace

Implement a smoke-free workplace policy. All job applicants will be made aware of the policy via application packs, where a requirement to abide by it will be part of the person specification. Applicants will be reminded of the policy at interview stage. Support smoking cessation through health benefits. Provide coverage for smoking cessation counseling. Telephone and internet counseling are practical for worksite interventions. Displaying no smoking signs in all premises and within company vehicles and taking reasonable steps to ensure that all of their staff, customers, members, guests and visitors are fully aware that both premises and company vehicles are legally required to be smoke-free and to enforce that should anybody break the law. Any indoor smoking areas which were previously delegated for smoking purposes also need to be removed. Financially support multiple quit attempts by the smoker if necessary.
Offer smoking cessation information and literature through a year-round making on-site smoking cessation and wellness programs or other support groups available at work sponsoring or subsidizing health club memberships working with health providers to develop incentives to encourage cessation implementing a tobacco cessation program Provide employee incentives to stop smoking.

Provide information on the benefits of cessation. Offer other wellness activities.

Conclusion

The adverse effects of cigarette smoking on individuals and societies are increasingly being recognized and understood. Nevertheless, smoking continues to enjoy social acceptability and widespread use. The workplace is an exceptionally useful arena for combating this health hazard. Workplace policies and programmes can have a strong positive influence over the behavior of employees who smoke, abetted by peer pressure from non-smoking coworkers. The wise organization will not only appreciate that control of workplace smoking is something that serves its own self-interest in terms of legal liabilities, absenteeism, production and health-related costs, but will also recognize that it can be a matter of life and death for its employees