Having recently moved to Victoria from Far North Queensland, I was excited to enjoy all that Melbourne has to offer. The winter, various activities and especially the food! However, last week when enjoying a meal outside, I was shocked to find someone smoking a cigarette right next to me! As a non-smoker, it not only put me off my meal, but I also went home smelling like an ashtray. I have since discovered that it is legal to smoke cigarettes in outdoor dining or drinking areas in Victoria. In Queensland, I was accustomed to seeing “NO SMOKING” signs within four meters of most building entry ways and plastered in outdoor eating and drinking areas where food is served.

As most of my family members are smokers, I have grown up being aware of how smoking has gradually become less accepted by society, labelled as a “dirty habit” and more expensive. I have also seen pictures of the ‘good old days’ when it was accepted, and even encouraged to smoke at work, at university and on aeroplanes. Smoking anywhere and everywhere was the norm, and non-smokers were marginalised. This got me thinking, if I was a smoker, would it not only hurt my health, but my chances of obtaining and maintaining employment?

Although employers cannot discriminate against a person for being a smoker, smoking before an interview can hurt a smoker’s chance of landing a job. It is no secret that the smell of cigarette smoke stays on your clothes, fingers and in your hair. So a nervous cigarette consumed before an interview will most definitely linger. Walking into a job interview smelling like tobacco would more than likely work against you, particularly if your interviewer is a non-smoker. Although you may be unaware of the smoke smell, non-smokers can pick up the scent straight away.

Employing a smoker can also be detrimental for a business, with smoking impacting workplace productivity, health and general welling being. Quit Cigarettes Australia reports that it can cost a business up to $5000 per year for hiring a smoker. Additionally, in a workplace where there are smokers and non-smokers, non-smokers are reported to resent smokers for taking extra breaks and having more sick days.

The statistics do not lie; smoking does kill and cause serious health problems, not only for the smoker but also for the non-smokers. So is there anything that employers can do to encourage their employees to quit? Queensland Health recommends that employers implement a healthy workplace policy to support workers and encourage a healthier lifestyle. The policy can include information on quitting and support programs that promote a smoke-free, happier, healthier lifestyle. Employers can also look at encouraging the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), which is an electronic vaping device that stimulates tobacco smoking and is said to be a “smoking alternative”.

Everyone has seen the TV ads and sited the graphic pictures on cigarette packs. It is no secret that the benefits of not smoking greatly outweigh the benefits of smoking, not only for the person smoking, but for the unintentional passive smokers surrounding them. Quitting smoking not only improves your health, but also improves your chances of gaining employment. While quitting cigarette smoking is a huge and difficult life changing event, not only will your body thank you for it, but your colleagues and employers too.

References:
http://www.quitcigarettesaustralia.com.au/Packages.html
http://www.health.qld.gov.au/quitsmoking/documents/resource4workplaces.pdf

Written by Natassja Ford