Health-related productivity costs high for smokers

Effect of smoking status on productivity loss. Bunn WB 3rd, Stave GM, Downs KE, Alvir JM, Dirani R. J Occup Environ Med. 2006. 48: 1099-1108.

To determine health-related productivity losses due to smoking.

34,934 employees who participated in a Wellness Inventory between 2002 and 2005, from 147 US-based companies.

Days lost from work and unproductive at-work time were compared for nonsmokers, former, and current smokers.

	Nonsmokers (n = 21,877)	Former smokers (n = 8,452)	Current smokers (n = 4,605)
Productivity results
Average days missed due to health conditions per employee per year	4.4	4.9	6.7
Average hours lost per year due to absenteeism	35.2	39.2	53.6
Average hours lost per year due to presenteeism	42.8	56.0	76.5
Medical conditions
Average days missed due to allergic rhinitis/hayfever per year	Females: 1.95 Males: 1.88	Females: 1.81 Males: 2.59	Females: 2.52 Males: 2.82
Costs
Cost of lost productivity time (US$)	2,623	3,246	4,430

The promotion of company-wide smoking cessation strategies could reduce health-related productivity losses.

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