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Smoking Clouds Workplace Productivity

Lighting up means poorer health, poorer work, researchers say

By Heather McPherson, Newser User

Posted Aug 16, 2007 7:16 AM CDT

(Newser) – Employees who smoke also call in sick more frequently and demonstrate poorer productivity, to the tune of $92 billion in annual losses, a Swedish researcher says. All that huddling by the loading dock translates to startling hard numbers, CareerBuilder.com reports: In a study of 14,000 workers, smokers took, on average, 11 more sick days than non-smokers.

The researcher allows for the fact that that smokers often work in more hazardous fields and frequently suffer from other health problems. Nevertheless, the study gives employers new reasons to encourage workers to give up tobacco. Many companies reimburse employees for smoking cessation programs, and at least one health-care firm forbids all its workers from smoking.

Elephant and Castle - No Smoking ((c) %u27A8 Redvers)

smoke gets in your eyes ((c) J.L. Trinh)

Her hands ((c) miss pupik)

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Smoking Clouds Workplace Productivity

Lighting up means poorer health, poorer work, researchers say

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Feds Wants Diseased Lungs, Corpses on Cigarettes

FDA presents 36 labels for public scrutiny

Anti-Smoking Poster Boy Still Lights Up

'I'm afraid to quit' despite amputation, heart attacks, stroke

England Douses Public Smoking

New law clears the air in enclosed spaces

Waking Up to a Cigarette Raises Cancer Risk

So try to hold off for at least an hour

Philip Morris Threatens Suit on Cigarette Packaging

Tobacco giant worried Australia's laws will hurt competition

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Smoking Clouds Workplace Productivity

Lighting up means poorer health, poorer work, researchers say

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

health • work • smoking • cigarettes • tobacco • employment

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Feds Wants Diseased Lungs, Corpses on Cigarettes

FDA presents 36 labels for public scrutiny

Anti-Smoking Poster Boy Still Lights Up

'I'm afraid to quit' despite amputation, heart attacks, stroke

England Douses Public Smoking

New law clears the air in enclosed spaces

Waking Up to a Cigarette Raises Cancer Risk

So try to hold off for at least an hour

Philip Morris Threatens Suit on Cigarette Packaging

Tobacco giant worried Australia's laws will hurt competition

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?