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Passive smoking at work: the short-term cost
S M McGhee1, P Adab, A J Hedley
1Department of Community Medicine, University of Hong Kong, 7 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. smmcghee@hkucc.hku.hk
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
|August 15, 2000
Summary
Passive smoking at work is linked to increased healthcare use and absenteeism among employees. This workplace exposure incurs costs for healthcare systems, employers, and affected individuals.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Workplace exposure to secondhand smoke is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding the health and economic impacts of passive smoking in occupational settings is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the association between workplace passive smoking and healthcare service utilization.
- To assess the impact of passive smoking on employee absenteeism.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted.
- The study included a workforce in Hong Kong, with 5142 never-smoking police officers analyzed from a total sample of 9926.
Main Results:
- A strong association was observed in men between duration of passive smoke exposure at work and self-reported doctor consultations, medication use, and time off work.
- Similar trends were noted in women, though statistical significance varied.
Conclusions:
- Exposure to passive smoking in the workplace is demonstrably linked to increased healthcare service utilization.
- Workplace passive smoking contributes to absenteeism, leading to economic burdens on healthcare services, employers, and employees.