Defining the Problem
Smoking is the most avoidable cause of death in our society. The prevalence of smoking among Michigan adults is about 25%.
There are more than 15,000 smoking related deaths each year in Michigan. This is one-fifth of all deaths, a toll greater than the total number of deaths from alcohol, heroin, cocaine, car accidents, homicide, suicide, fires and AIDS combined. The estimated economic impact of smoking each year exceeds $2 billion in Michigan.
The effects on employees that are injured or hospitalized include:
- Twice the rate of wound infections,
- Slow wound healing both surgical and traumatic,
- Longer hospital stays and 20% higher costs in the recovery room after surgery.
- More gastrointestinal, prenatal and orthopedic complications.
The effects of second-hand smoke:
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified it as a "Group A" carcinogen
- "Group A" carcinogens are the most toxic substances known to cause cancer in humans, also including benzene, radon and asbestos
- Increases non-smoker's risk of heart disease and worsens symptoms of adults already suffering from asthma, allergies or bronchitis
- Is associated with as many as 300,000 cases of bronchitis and pneumonia each year in infants to 18 months of age
Employer costs related to tobacco use include:
- Increased direct medical costs per smoking employee per year
- Increased indirect medical costs to employee's family
- Lost productivity costs per employee per year ($1200-$1600)
- Increased overall health costs to the business
- Smokers have 6.5 more absent days per year
- Smokers have 6 more visits to health care facilities for themselves
- Smokers make 4 more visits to health care facilities for their dependents
Cessation treatment is the most cost-effective form of medical intervention in the United States.