Estimating the cost of a smoking employee. Issue 5 (3rd June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Berman, Micah; Crane, Rob; Seiber, Eric; Munur, Mehmet
• Is Part Of: Tobacco control. Volume 23:Issue 5(2014)
• Page Start: 428
• Page End: 433
• Publication Date: 2013-06-03
• Subjects: Economics -- Smoking Caused Disease -- Public policy; Tobacco use -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Tobacco use -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Law and legislation -- Periodicals; Smoking -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Tobacco Use Disorder -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Tobacco -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 613.85
• DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2012-050888
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-4563

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: We attempted to estimate the excess annual costs that a US private employer may attribute to employing an individual who smokes tobacco as compared to a non-smoking employee. Design: Reviewing and synthesising previous literature estimating certain discrete costs associated with smoking employees, we developed a cost estimation approach that approximates the total of such costs for US employers. We examined absenteeism, presenteesim, smoking breaks, healthcare costs and pension benefits for smokers. Results: Our best estimate of the annual excess cost to employ a smoker is $5816. This estimate should be taken as a general indicator of the extent of excess costs, not as a predictive point value. Conclusions: Employees who smoke impose significant excess costs on private employers. The results of this study may help inform employer decisions about tobacco-related policies.