A study in the journal Tobacco Control sought to estimate the cost of a smoking employee.  The researchers examined existing literature that identified and estimated specific costs of different characteristics associated with smokers.  For purposes of this article, the researchers looked at time away from work, time at work, smoking breaks, healthcare costs, and pension benefits.  They used those studies to develop a cost estimation approach to approximate total costs.  Concluding that each smoking employee costs, on average, an additional $6,000 per year, and employers faces generally more extensive costs with smokers that may shape workplace tobacco policies.

In reviewing the study, the New York Times states that the largest cost came from taking smoke breaks, which amounted to $3,077 annually.  The second largest cost is additional healthcare expenses of $2,056.  This item is not surprising, confirming general agreement that smoking is detrimental to one’s health and costly.  The remainder of the costs came from smoking employees missing, on average, 2.5 extra work days every year.  This study may encourage more companies to incorporate or expand smoking cessation programs.

This study is in line with previous studies examining the impact of smoking.  In 1986, the Milbank Quarterly published an analysis of the economic consequences of smoking in 1984, confirming well-documented health impacts and productivity losses.  That study found that smoking cost the U.S. $54 billion.  In 2001, a study in the American Journal of Health Promotion considered the financial impact of smoking on health-related costs.  As a proportion of personal health expenditures, smoking accounts for six to 14 percent. This study found that smokers in the workplace adversely affected non-smokers in the workplace, including imposing costs on them.

In 2002, Health Affairs considered the cost of smoking in comparison to obesity, drinking, and aging.  The researchers found that obesity was the most costly in terms of medical spending and quality of life.  Smoking was the second most costly in terms of medical spending, but third in reducing quality of life after aging.  The costs examined were inpatient and ambulatory care, which was an additional $395 for obese individuals and $230 for smokers.  Smoking is also the third leading cause of increased chronic conditions, with aging leading, followed closely by obesity.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 19 percent of adults 18 and older are current smokers and 21 percent are former smokers.  Sixty percent of adults over the age of 18 have never smoked.  There are differences between men and women, with 21 percent of men smoking as compared to 17 percent of women.  The CDC also notes that there are socioeconomic differences in smoking prevalence.