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Advantages and Disadvantages of No Smoking in Working Places

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Discuss advantages and disadvantages of having smoke free workplaces including the perspective of both employers and employees and their rights and obligations.

The speedy spread of tobacco products and users all over the world is causing significant concern that has become a worldwide challenge. The leaders of different countries are now expressing their concern about the rapidly increasing number of smoking-related deaths. Recent reports reveal that approximately 4.9 million deaths worldwide can be attributed to smoking. This number is expected to rise to a notable 10 million deaths by 2030, if strong policies on tobacco control are not implemented worldwide. Tobacco -smoking is currently considered the second major cause of death. …show more content…

In a 1990 study from California, 9.3 percent of non-smokers who worked in a “smoke-free” worksite reported at least one episode of exposure at work during the two weeks before the survey (Borland et al. 1992). This proportion was higher at 51 percent among nonsmokers working in sites without a smoking policy (Brancker 1990).

Exposure to second-hand smoke remains a serious public health problem in the United States, with exposure of almost 60 percent of children aged 3 through 11 years and more than 40 percent of nonsmoking adults.

Since the publication of the 1986 Surgeon General’s report, measured levels of exposure in the United States have declined significantly. However, the proportional decrease has been larger among adults than among children, and the most recent data suggest that children aged 3 through 11 years have serum cotinine concentrations that are more than twice as high as those among non-smoking adults. Data suggest that the home remains the most important target for reducing exposures to second-hand smoke, particularly for children but also for middle-aged and older adults. Although progress has been made to protect non-smoking workers, continuing efforts are needed to protect these workers, and particularly younger workers, in all occupational categories.

Tobacco-Free Workplaces & Their Benefits
There are numerous benefits of a tobacco-free workplace for both employers and

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