Butting out at work

SMOKE-free workplaces could soon be a reality across the Far North as the Cancer Council Queensland pushes for employers to make the change. But how soon could it happen? James Cook University health economist Associate Professor Emily Callander said “it would be a win” for everyone involved. “For the smokers there would be a benefit for them, because they would be having fewer cigarettes every day,” she said.

SMOKE-free workplaces could soon be a reality across the Far North as the Cancer Council Queensland pushes for employers to make the change. But how soon could it happen?

James Cook University health economist Associate Professor Emily Callander said “it would be a win” for everyone involved.

“For the smokers there would be a benefit for them, because they would be having fewer cigarettes every day,” she said.

“For employers it would also be a good decision because there would be more productivity in the workplace.”

But she said the biggest win would be the reduction of second-hand smoke throughout the workplaces.

“It’s quite accepted by society that smoking does have adverse health effects,” Professor Callander said.

“From the perspective of nonsmokers it would be a win because there would be less second-hand smoke.

“If you look at the personal cost of cancer, it comes out to about $3500 (a year), so it’s really a lot to pay.”

Cancer Council Queensland chief executive Chris McMillan said smoking remained the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Australia.

“We’re calling on workplaces to consider going smoke-free and provide their staff with support to quit to help reduce the burden of tobacco and associated diseases, including cancer,” Ms McMillan said.

“Having a smoke-free workplace not only improves the health of those that smoke, but this will increase productivity and protect employees from being exposed to second-hand smoke.

“In Queensland alone about 3700 people die from a tobacco-related disease each year from smoking or secondhand smoke.”

FOR THE SMOKERS THERE WOULD BE A BENEFIT FOR THEM, BECAUSE THEY WOULD BE HAVING LESS CIGARETTES EVERY DAY EMILY CALLANDER

Picture: STEWART McLEAN WIN-WIN SITUATION: James Cook University’s Associate Professor Emily Callander thinks smoke-free workplaces are wonderful for everyone.