COM 0942.107 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Protection from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke. Policy recommendations. Smoke-free workplaces tobacco smoke while simultaneously having a r reduce youth smoking initiation positive impact on two other major tobacco There is some evidence that smoke-free policies control goals established by public health lessen the likelihood that youth will become organizations: reducing smoking initiation and addicted to tobacco. Several studies have shown increasing smoking cessation. that smoke-free workplaces and community- wide, smoke-free by-laws are associated with Economic impact of e' a decreased likelihood of ever-smoking among smoke-free environments teenagers. One study found that teenagers who worked in completely smoke-free work sites It follows from the finding that SHS exposure were, on average, 6810 o as likely to be ever- carries economic costs that smoke-free poli- smokers compared to teenagers who worked cies carry economic benefits. These include: W in establishments with fewer smoking restric s condi- tions.lOS Studies that have examined smoking bons r direct attribmediutable cal to costs SHS care for prevalence and tobacco consumption among exposure e and nd re enagers in communities with extensive educed insurance costs [the higher insur- tesmoke-free laws versus no laws show absolute ance cost for smokers includes health, fire, 1111110 reductions in prevalence of 2.3% to 46.0%, a accident and life insurancel, + relative reduction in prevalence of 17.2%, and a relative reduction in per capita cigarette con- increased productivity among those who quit sumption of 50.4%,103 smoking and among workers no longer r exposed to second-hand smoke [time saved on smoking breaks and absenteeism due to Smoke-free homes are also associated with reduced tobacco use among teenagers. illness); r Teenagers living in a smoke-free home were, on average, 74% as likely to be ever-smokers • reduced hiring costs less labour is lost y; a compared with those living in homes with no tobacco-related morbidity and mortality; smoking restrictions, even after adjusting for lower building maintenance costs; and • demographics and smoking status of other household members.98 • reduced employer liability for SHS exposure's effect on workers and for SHS's compounding Taken together, the evidence suggests that smoke-free environments play a powerful role effects on workers exposed to other toxins in in reducing the social acceptability of smok- the workplace. ing, leading to decreased smoking initiation. Given that smoking has long been promoted These economic benefits can be substantial. It by tobacco companies as an "adult choice", it s estimated that smoke-free environments is logical to predict that the elimination of would save employers the equivalent of 0.515% smoking in those establishments into which too.77%oftheGDPinScotland104andbetween adolescents aspire to enter, such as bars and 1.1%and 1.7% of GDP in Ireland. 10'The United nightclubs, will lead to reducing the status of States Occupational Safety and Health smoking as a rite of passage into adulthood. Administration (OSHA) has estimated that clean air increases productivity by 3%.106 In summary Smoke-free environments achieve the goal of There are some modest costs associated with the protecting non-smokers from exposure to administrative capacity ofgovernments toimple- ment and enforce smoke-free laws (primarily r. r.