Is there an answer to the question of if an employee that smokes is less productive than a non-smoking employee? 

With the amount of smoking breaks taken throughout a day, it’s hard to think otherwise.  I’ve also heard the other side of the story where the smoker says the non-smokers spend just as much time complaining about the smoker being on break, so they must be even.    

 

Take a look at this graph, you can decide for yourself.

 

Reason for Excess Cost Cost Per Smoker Per Year Source of Information
Excess Medical Expenditures $2295 CDC
Smoking-attributable mortality $206 MMWR
Missed Work Days due to Sickness $466 JOEM
Smoking Breaks $2574 EPIC/MRI
Worker’s Comp $176 JOEM
TOTAL EXCESS COST PER SMOKER PER YEAR = $5,717