Abstract
Smoking has long been declared a health hazard. In 1964, the U.S. Surgeon General revealed that smoking was related to lung cancer. Subsequent reports linked smoking to numerous other health problems. Recent statements by the Surgeon General indicated smokers do have the right to decide to continue or quit; however, their choice to continue cannot interfere with the nonsmoker's right to breathe smoke-free air.
The full impact of adverse health consequences of involuntary smoking may not be recognized yet. Smoke is now known to affect everyone who breathes it. Even when one doesn't smoke, the nonsmoker is susceptible to the ill effects because of inhaling smoke.
Are smoking policies justified? Companies are discovering that smoking has a negative economic and ethical impact on business. Smoking has been linked to increased health care costs, reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, and lowered morale.
Has the number of smokers decreased? About 1.3 million smokers quit annually, while about one million young people begin annually. Businesses can help educate young people of health hazards of smoking.
What are the effects of legal and ethical success of smoking policies? Results of a survey of U.S. corporations in 1987 indicated that 54 percent (increased from 36 percent in 1986) had smoking policies. A Federal Appeals Court judge ruled recently that smoking is not protected by the constitutional right to privacy.
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Additional information
Dr. Judy C. Nixon, Associate Professor, Department of Management, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, teaches Business Communication, Personnel Management, and Management Concepts, conducts seminars in business communication, office management, and personnel. Additionally, she serves as a consultant to numerous business organizations in those same areas.
Judy F. West, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of Business Administration, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, teaches International Management and Business Communication courses, conducts seminars in both areas and social issues, serves as consultant with various companies, and has more than 20 years' experience as an active partner in business.
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Nixon, J.C., West, J.F. The ethics of smoking policies. J Bus Ethics 8, 409–414 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00381807
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00381807