Health salud USA

Smoking in the Workplace
Benefits of a Smoke-Free Workplace For the Employees

* A smoke-free environment helps create a safe, healthful workplace.
* A well planned and carefully implemented effort by the employer to address the effect of smoking on employees' health and the health of their families shows the company cares.
* Workers who are bothered by smoke will not be exposed to it at the worksite.
* Smokers appreciate a clear company policy about smoking at work.
* Managers are relieved when a process for dealing with smoking in the workplace is clearly defined.

For the Employer

* A smoke-free environment helps create a safe, healthful workplace.
* Direct health care costs to the company may be reduced.
* Maintenance costs go down when smoke, matches, and cigarette butts are eliminated in facilities.
* Office equipment, carpets, and furniture last longer.
* It may be possible to negotiate lower health, life, and disability coverage as employee smoking is reduced.
* The risk of fires is lower.

References
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, Office on Smoking and Health, 1986. (DHHS Publication No. (CDC) 87-9398)
Siegel M, Husten C, Merritt RK, et al. Effects of separately ventilated smoking lounges on the health of smokers: Is this an appropriate public health policy? Tobacco Control 1995; 4:22-29.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Discomfort from environmental tobacco smoke among employees at worksites with minimal smoking restrictions - United States, 1988. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 1992; 41:351-354.
Hammond SK, Sorensen G, Youngstrom R, Ockene JK. Occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Journal of the American Medical Association 1995; 274: 956-960.
Revised 11-13-03 Printer-Friendly Page Email this Page