Bans Pay Off By Peter Bialick Tobacco smoke pollution at work has emerged as a significant problem leading to lower worker morale and lower worker productivity. Tobacco smoke contains more than 3,800 identified chemical compounds, including poisons, irritants and carcinogens that are emitted into the air. According to government hygienists, there is no safe exposure level for many of these toxic substances. The Group to Alleviate Smoking Pollution has accumulated a significant amount of scientific research showing that there are no ventilation systems currently available that will remove all the toxic gases emitted from tobacco smoke. Air purifying devices may actually pose a hidden danger by creating a false sense of security that these devices will fully protect employees from tobacco smoke.
Involuntary smoking is a cause of disease, including lung cancer, in healthy non-smokers.
A major forest products company recently estimated that smokers collectively waste 30 minutes a day in the smoking ritual, resulting in an annual time loss of 44 man-years. Decreased ventilation costs. Tobacco smoke pollution increases the work load of ventilation systems. Air conditioning requirements are six times greater in areas where people smoke. Non-smokers also are made ill by tobacco smoke exposure.