Costs of employee smoking in the workplace in Scotland

Background-Employers have responded to new regulations on the effects of pa ssive smoking by introducing a range of workplace policies. Few policies in clude provision of smoking cessation intervention. Objective-To estimate the cost to employers of smoking in the workplace in Scotland to illustrate the potential gains from smoking cessation provision . Costs vary with type of smoking policy in place; therefore, to estimate t hese costs results from a survey were combined with evidence drawn from a l iterature review. Study design-A telephone survey of 200 Scottish workplaces, based on a stra tified random sample of workplaces with 50 or more employees, was conducted in 1996. Additional evidence was compiled from a review of the literature of smoking related costs and specific smoking related effects. Results-167 completed responses were received, of which 156 employers (93%) operated a smoking policy, 57 (34%) operated smoke free buildings, and 89 (53%) restricted smoking to a " smoke room" The research literature shows a bsenteeism to be higher among smokers when compared to non-smokers. The est imated cost of smoking related absence in Scotland is pound 40 million per annum. Total productivity losses are estimated at approximately pound 450 m illion per annum. In addition, the resource cost in terms of losses from fi res caused by smoking materials is estimated at approximately pound 40 mill ion per annum. In addition, there are costs from smoking related deaths and smoking related damage to premises. Conclusion-This study shows how smoking cessation interventions in the work place can yield positive cost savings for employers, resulting in gains in productivity and workplace attendance which may outweigh the cost of any sm oking programme.