

Workplace smoking programs therefore offer a choice that is welcomed by many workers. Often, employees want to quit smoking, but have lacked the relevant opportunities. Giving employees the opportunity to seek support with smoking cessation at work is far more effective than trying to force workers to change a fundamental part of their lifestyle. Tobacco cessation programs may be a more suitable alternative to smoking bans as they allow tobacco users complete autonomy. However, smoking can be an emotive issue, and history tells us that workplace smoking bans can be a source of tension and hostility between employers and employees. Many employers are keen to alleviate the many disadvantages of a smoking workforce. In fact, the CDC estimate that for every $10 spent on healthcare in the United States, almost 90 cents of that is attributable to smoking. Many employers remain unaware that smoking-related illness is one of the top causes of healthcare costs. These figures are overlooked surprisingly often, despite their magnitude. Smoking-related disease in the United States costs more than $300 billion each year, including $170 billion for direct medical care and $156 billion lost in productivity. This cost can be attributed to a number of factors associated with smoking including absenteeism, presenteeism, extra breaks, pension benefits, health insurance and healthcare costs.

On top of health risks, cigarette smoking is also expensive to the workplace, costing businesses up to $6,190 per smoker per year in the United States. Exposure to secondhand smoke contributed to a 24% increase of lung cancer risk in workers in the United States. These dangers were not necessarily exclusive to tobacco users. The CDC outline significant health dangers and productivity losses associated with smoking in the workplace.
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However, like their counterparts in the United States, those in routine and manual occupations in the United Kingdom have remained notably resistant to following population trends in smoking cessation, and there is still a lot of work to be done. This also meant an overall reduction in smoking at a national level. In the United Kingdom, the nationwide smoking ban that was introduced in July 2007 banned smoking in public areas.

Smoking in these industries is as high as smoking in the general population was back in the 1980s, indicating a resistance to the public health messages that have resulted in smoking reductions in the wider population. Specifically, maintenance and repair workers have the highest rates of smoking in their work force (37.2%), with construction and mining workers (34.3%) and food service workers (30.3%) following closely behind. Rates of workplace smoking are generally highest for those in service-related occupation groups. The Centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) estimate that around a fifth of working adults in the United States are tobacco users. We want you to stop smoking.Workplace smoking is costly, risky and, unfortunately, commonplace. We recognize that quitting smoking is very difficult.
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This program is FREE to all participants. Program participants may enroll themselves or through a referral from their physician.Īppointments may be scheduled by calling (309) 282-1633.Īll consultation visits will be held at the RiverPlex Recreation & Wellness Center, or virtually by phone or video.
