Open AccessBenefits of quitting smoking on work productivity and activity impairment in the United States, the European Union and China
Author(s) -
Baker Christine L.,
Flores Natalia M.,
Zou Kelly H.,
Bruno Marianna,
Harrison Vannessa J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international journal of clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1742-1241
pISSN - 1368-5031
DOI - 10.1111/ijcp.12900
Subject(s) - presenteeism , absenteeism , medicine , china , productivity , smoking cessation , demography , functional impairment , european union , environmental health , shanghai china , gerontology , psychiatry , psychology , geography , economic growth , business , social psychology , archaeology , pathology , regional science , sociology , economics , economic policy
Summary Background Smoking has important health and economic consequences for individuals and society. This study expands the understanding of work‐related burden associated with smoking and benefit of smoking cessation across the US , European Union ( EU ) and China using large‐scale, representative survey methodology. Methods Data utilised the 2013 National Health and Wellness Survey in United States (US), EU 5 ( UK , France, Germany, Italy, and Spain) and China. Working‐aged respondents 18‐64 were used in the analyses ( US N=58 500; EU 5 N=50 417; China N=17 987) and were categorised into: current smokers, trying to quit, former smokers and never smokers. Generalised linear models controlling for demographics and health characteristics examined the relationship of smoking status with work productivity and activity impairment ( WPAI ‐ GH ). The WPAI ‐ GH measures were: absenteeism, presenteeism, overall work impairment, and activity impairment. Separately, current smokers were compared with those who quit 0‐4, 5‐10 and 11 or more years ago on WPAI ‐ GH end‐points. Results Current smokers reported greater absenteeism in the US and China and greater presenteeism, overall work impairment, and activity impairment than former and never smokers across the three regions. Those who quit even 0‐4 years ago demonstrated lower absenteeism, presenteeism, and activity impairment in China and lower presenteeism, overall work impairment, and activity impairment in the US and EU 5. Conclusions Smoking was associated with significant work productivity loss in the US , EU 5 and China. The results suggest that quitting benefits extend to work productivity rapidly after cessation, serving to further encourage and promote the implementation of workplace cessation programs.