Business Costs

Smokefree workplaces are good for health and good for business.

From a business standpoint, going smokefree reduces operating costs, thereby protecting the business owners' pocketbook rather than Big Tobacco's bottom-line.

Smokefree indoor environments lead to:

1. Lower maintenance expenses (carpets, drapes, cloths, paintwork).
2. Lower insurance premiums (fire, medical, workers comp, liability).
3. Lower labor costs (absenteeism, productivity).

All this equals greater profits and a healthier and safer work environment for employees, employers, and patrons alike.

The Society of Actuaries issued a 2005 report finding that secondhand smoke costs the U.S. economy roughly $10 billion a year: $5 billion in estimated medical costs associated with secondhand smoke exposure, and another $4.6 billion in lost wages. This estimate does not include youth exposure to secondhand smoke.

Learn more about business costs at our Advice to Business Owners page.