Health and Wellness

Study: Smokers Less Productive at Work

Smokers take more time off work and are less productive when they are working compared with non-smokers, according to a study published in Tobacco Control, an international public health/anti-smoking journal.

Based on a survey of 300 U.S. airline ticket sales employees, current smokers averaged almost three times as much sick leave as non-smokers, as well as significantly more sick leave than ex-smokers. Ex-smokers also had lower rates of absenteeism after being smoke-free for at least 12 months.

Current smokers felt that their colleagues and supervisors would rate them as the least productive of employees and non-smokers as the most productive.