Community Action For Tobacco Free Living

The coalition has put together a Worksite Resource Guide, available free of charge to all businesses in our service area. This guide provides a plan to help establish smoking policies in the workplace. Please complete the order form or, for on-site consulting, call (920) 954-7404.

This guide reviews the economical, health, legal and administrative aspects of instituting a tobacco use policy. There are many options when considering tobacco use policies, such as designated smoking/nonsmoking areas, installation of ventilation systems, enforcement procedures, etc. The best overall policy continues to be a complete ban of tobacco use at work. This type of policy protects the nonsmoker, saves money and liability costs and, coupled with assistance from local, state, and private cessation programs, is an excellent way to improve the health and well-being of employees.

In a recent study conducted by St. Norbert College Survey Center, it was found that 84% of the residents in Outagamie and Calumet County support a ban on smoking in all workplaces. Importantly, 77% of smokers also support a total ban on smoking in the workplace. Workplace includes offices, factories, restaurants, bars, laundomats, bowling alleys, etc.

Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in this country, killing 53,000 nonsmokers in the U.S. each year. For every eight smokers that the tobacco industry kills, it takes one nonsmoker with them.. ("Passive Smoking and Heart Disease: Epidemiology, Physiology, and Biochemistry," Circulation, 1991;83(1):1-12). It causes over 3,000 lung cancer deaths annually. The EPA estimates that secondhand smoke causes 62,000 cardiovascular events per year.

It exacerbates lung disease in nonsmoking adults, such as aggravated asthma conditions, impaired blood circulation, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

According to the Labor's Community Service Agency, the annual cost to an employer for each employee who smokes is estimated at up to $4,789 (depending on benefits, wages, and circumstances.) These costs are based on the following:

	Increased absenteeism
	Increased medical care
	Increased lost earnings
	Increased insurance costs other than health costs
	Increased time lost on the job
	Increased property damage and depreciation
	Increased maintenance and cleaning costs
	Problems caused by second-hand smoke

We also need your support for providing healthy and safe smoke-free workplaces, in order to protect ALL employees from the effects of secondhand smoke. Please register your Corporate SUpport by registering on the response form and tell us the name of your company. Thanks so much.