Smokers Cost Employers $12K More Per Year (each) than Non-smokers

by LAS

Studies show that each smoker costs a company an average of $12,000 a year more than non-smokers. Inspired by a California study that showed every dollar spent by the state on smoking-cessation programs saved $18 in health care costs – more employers are moving to start smoke-free policies or tobacco-cessation programs in the workplace.

Employers do have to skirt some smokers' rights laws in a few states to avoid discrimination lawsuits if they become too invasive.

In just 29 states, the employers are limited to prohibiting smoking in the workplace, and states may prohibit smoking in public places. They have what is called “lifestyle laws” that protect workers. Employers may not take smoking into account regarding promotions, hiring or firing.

These laws, one must admit, are pretty toothless. It is difficult to prove that an employer violated the law because they know enough to provide some other, innocuous reason for not hiring or promoting someone.

Some of the state laws are even weaker. The Virginia law apply only to state employees. Three states – Minnesota, Illinois, and Montana – protect smokers rights but allow employers to charge higher premiums for the smokers. Three states – Tennessee, Louisiana, and Colorado – apply their protection of smokers to future hires, not current employees (when the law was passed).

Smokers who try to quit generally have to make many attempts before it sticks. Statistically, it takes seven attempts for a smoker to quit smoking. So keeping trying, you never know what approach will finally help you reach your goal.