Smoking and Productivity in the Workplace: What Employers and Employees Can Do
Despite the widespread recognition of the health hazards associated with tobacco use, employee smoking continues to be a prevalent issue that many employers tend to overlook. However, according to an investigation in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, employee smoking hurts more than workers’ health, as there is a strong correlation between smoking and productivity in the workplace. Researchers estimated that the total cost of morbidity-related productivity losses attributable to cigarette smoking was $184.9 billion in the US, with absenteeism, presenteeism, home productivity, and the inability to work accounting for $9.4 billion, $46.8 billion, $12.8 billion, and $116.0 billion, respectively.
Addressing this issue offers opportunities for employers to implement supportive policies and for employees to embrace healthier habits, fostering a more productive and thriving work culture. In this article, we’ll examine the link between smoking and productivity and outline actionable strategies for both employers and employees to mitigate its negative consequences.
The link between smoking and productivity
A fact sheet from the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation highlights that tobacco use was one of the greatest variables observed when determining workers’ lost production time (LPT) in the American Productivity Audit. LPT also reportedly increased in relation to the amount smoked, with LPT estimates for workers who reported smoking one pack of cigarettes per day or more was 75% higher than that observed for nonsmoking and ex-smoking workers.
Furthermore, in a study published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice, researchers found that current smokers are more likely to practice absenteeism and presenteeism. Absenteeism refers to the practice of staying away from work without good reason, while presenteeism refers to the lost productivity that occurs when employees are not fully functioning in the workplace because of an illness, injury, or other condition.
The same study established that smokers report greater overall work impairment and activity impairment than former and never smokers. Importantly, the results of the study suggest that quitting smoking serves to reduce the burden on workplace productivity and activity impairment. This is most exemplified by recent quitters, between 0 and 4 years post-cessation, having a significantly lower impact on absenteeism, presenteeism, and activity impairment compared with current smokers.
What employers can do to reduce smoking in the workplace?
There are several cessation tools and programs that employers can use to help employees quit smoking and boost productivity. For example, a study featured in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society found that a cessation program financially incentivizing quitting led to higher rates of cessation compared to conventional programs. More specifically, the financial incentives, which ranged from $800 to $1,940 per quitter, led to much higher quit rates at 6 months. While some debate exists regarding the responsibility of employers to provide such incentives, it is undeniably in their financial interest to do so, given the correlation between smoking and productivity losses.
On the other hand, employers can turn to behavioral-based smoking cessation programs such as the one by 2Morrow Health. In partnership with Spring Health, 2morrow’s tobacco cessation program takes a holistic approach to quitting, providing smokers with access to coaches, nicotine replacement therapies, and additional tools for weight and stress management. Smokers are also given the option to work with a Spring therapist to address co-occurring mental health needs.
What can employees do to reduce smoking?
For employees who want to break free of their smoking habit, it’s vital to be equipped with smoking alternatives that can alleviate withdrawal symptoms so as not to impact productivity as they quit. Some alternatives to consider are nicotine patches and nicotine pouches. Tobacco-free nicotine pouches are able to deliver nicotine to the system smokelessly, meaning that they can be used anywhere without needing to take time away from one’s desk. Rather than being combusted, pouches are simply placed between the lip and gum for the nicotine to be absorbed.
Popular pouch brands such as VELO, Juice Head, and ZYN come in a range of flavors and strengths so that users can tailor their consumption accordingly. Juice Head pouches, in particular, are available in fresh flavors like peach pineapple mint and blueberry lemon mint, making the nicotine experience more enjoyable and facilitating an easier transition to quitting smoking. Additionally, the varying nicotine dosages of 6mg and 12mg allow smokers to gradually taper down on their nicotine intake until they can wean off of it completely.
Healthy Habits
Employees can also enhance their health and productivity further by adopting habits like exercising and spending time outdoors. In our recent post titled A Productivity & Health Guide for Home-Based Entrepreneurs, we discussed the benefits of exercise, such as its ability to improve mood, boost energy, and strengthen heart health. Moreover, exercise has been associated with easing withdrawal symptoms and decreasing cravings for cigarettes.
As organizations strive for peak performance and employees seek to maximize their professional potential, acknowledging and addressing the impact of smoking on workplace productivity becomes significant. By fostering a smoke-free environment, providing resources for smoking cessation, and promoting a culture of wellness, employers can empower their workforce to thrive. Simultaneously, individuals can take proactive steps towards healthier lifestyles, benefiting their own well-being, as well as contributing to a more vibrant and productive workplace.
