Workplace

Fact:

$1.7 billion is the cost of smoking-related productivity losses in Arkansas each year

Get All the Facts

Secondhand smoke is harmful to everyone and everyone should be protected from it. It's only fair that hospitality workers like wait staff and bartenders should have the same level of protection as office workers.

In 2006, the State of Arkansas passed a law known as the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2006, during a Special Session of the State Legislature. While the law protects much of the workforce across the state, it is not a comprehensive law, meaning not all workers are protected. Every worker deserves to work in an environment that is healthy and free from secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is a known health risk. Employees who work in smoking facilities are at a higher risk of developing the following diseases: asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

  • Smokers are 33% more likely to miss work than nonsmokers
  • Smoking related productivity loss costs Arkansas $1.7 billion every year
  • Health care costs in Arkansas directly related to smoking cost $1.21 billion every year

Smoke Free Policies:

  • Lower insurance premiums
  • Lower labor costs
  • Reduce legal liability
  • Lower maintenance costs
  • Increase productivity
  • Improve morale

Comprehensive smoke-free laws are the only effective way to protect everyone's right to breathe clean air.