tobacco freedom logo
index

YOUNG HEALTHY SMOKERS TAKE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE DAYS OFF WORK THAN NON-SMOKERS

Young healthy people who smoke had substantially more lost work days than their non-smoking colleagues, finds research in Tobacco Control. Men smokers had more lost work days than women smokers, the study showed.

Almost 88,000 men and women on active duty in the US Army were monitored for over two years. The average age of those assessed was 28*, and the sample included men and women of diverse ethnicity, race, and army occupation.

The smokers had more lost work days and were admitted to hospital more frequently than their non-smoking colleagues. Among the men, smoking increased the risk of being admitted to hospital for causes other than injury by almost a third; in women the equivalent increase in risk was 25 per cent. The research showed that former smokers also had higher admission rates than non-smokers. Current smoking could be directly implicated in 7.5 per cent of hospital admissions in men and 5 per cent of those in women. . .

The authors point out that most employment research on smokers has focused on older populations, but that this study shows the adverse effects among young smokers, with the consequent cost implications for employers. "It is remarkable that a single risk factor could account for such a large proportion of hospitalisations and lost workdays, particularly over such a short period of observation," they conclude.

Source: EurekAlert (Dec 4, 2000)
http://www.eurekalert.org/releases/cfah-yhs120100.html



SMOKING COSTS TIME AND MONEY

Young smokers take more time off work - because of their habit - than their non-smoking peers. . .

The American study of young smokers in the US Army found male smokers are the most likely to be off work, and to have to be hospitalised. Women smokers are also more at risk than their non smoking counterparts. . .

The researchers, led by Major Anthony Robbins, of Brooks Air Force Base in Texas, monitored 88,000 men and women in the US Army, with an average age of 28, over two years.

Male smokers were more 60% likely to take time off work, and they were 7% more likely to take time off because of injuries. Female smokers were 15% more likely to take time off, and 54% more likely to have to take time off because of injury. . .

Both pieces of research are published in Tobacco Control journal.

Source: BBC Online (Dec 5, 2000)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_1054000/1054286.stm