Tobacco-Free Living

Introduction

Here are the facts - Smoking is the No. 1 cause of preventable death in Canada. It kills six times more Canadians each year than vehicle collisions, suicides, murders, and AIDS combined. Smoking kills one of every two long-term users and costs billions of dollars in health care for tobacco related illnesses.

For a business, healthy tobacco-free employees are good for the bottom line. A 2006 Conference Board of Canada study shows it costs employers $3,396 more per year to employ someone who smokes compared to a non-smoker.

Below are some ideas to help your workplace create an environment that supports tobacco-free living. The information can be used by employers, employees and their families.

• Be Aware of the Benefits of a Tobacco-Free Business - This section provides resources that will help employers and employees stay or become tobacco free.
• Make It Easy to be Tobacco Free - This section offers tips on how you can support your employers to become and stay tobacco free. Resources are available to support employees and employers.
• Be Involved in initiatives that encourage and support tobacco-free living.
• Speak Out - As a business you have influence in the community that can be used to encourage people to choose to be tobacco free.