It is amazing to think that around US$92 billion is what it costs America in health bills each year for smoking related conditions and also for time people take off work because of these illnesses.
It is likely that a smoker will be away from work around 4 days a year more than a non-smoker.
Shocking statistics from the States show that the average cost in loss of productivity for a non-smoker is US$2,600, for an ex-smoker the sum is US$3,250 and for smokers it amounts to US$4,400.
Much of the time lost to businesses is due to smokers taking longer than an average coffee break so that they can go outside and have a cigarette, joining the ranks of sad looking souls outside office buildings.
So, if an employer is looking for a new recruit, who would they choose, a smoker or a non-smoker? Everyone knows the answer to that one. However, it is not always possible to tell who is a smoker and who is not, and the interviewee is unlikely to admit to being a smoker. Asking such a question would probably be seen as an infringement of someone’s human rights.
The question therefore arises, would switching to e-cigarettes be the answer to this problem?
The electronic cigarette would meet the needs of a smoker, and put an end to smoking breaks, because e-cigs can be used anywhere. This would avoid time lost and make for better productivity, not to mention better health. Extensive use of e-cigs in the workplace could save companies major healthcare costs.
With economies struggling as they are, the use of e-cigs in the workplace could be good for many other countries too.
However, the main reason for quitting smoking has got to a health issue. People who make the change from tobacco to e-cigs feel and look better, and this helps them to have a really positive outlook on life.
