Effect of smoking status on productivity loss

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe health-related productivity losses in nonsmokers, former smokers, and current smokers using a large, cross-sectional database of U.S. employees. Methods: Volunteers completed the Wellness Inventory, an instrument measuring productivity losses related to 11 health conditions affecting employee health. Results are aggregated, dollarized, and reported by smoking group. Results: Current smokers missed more days of work and experienced more unproductive time at work compared with former smokers and nonsmokers. The average annual cost for lost productivity for nonsmokers was $2623/year compared with $3246/year for former smokers and $4430/year for current smokers. More than half the costs were due to unproductive time at work. Conclusion: Current smokers incurred the highest productivity losses, which translated into higher costs to employers for current smokers. Costs were lower for former smokers and nonsmokers.