A recent publication in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, issued by Oxford University Press, explores the detrimental impact of smoking on income levels among younger employees, with a pronounced effect observed in those with less educational attainment.

The well-documented health hazards of smoking are extensive, encompassing a heightened risk of various cancers, respiratory complications, and cardiovascular diseases. In 2019, smoking was responsible for around 14% of all fatalities. Despite a decline in smoking rates since the 1990s, a significant portion of the population in high-income nations continued to smoke in 2019, with 18% of women and 27% of men reported as smokers.

Additionally, smoking has been linked to poorer outcomes in the labour market, possibly due to its adverse effects on labour productivity. This is particularly evident in jobs that demand physical exertion, as smoking impairs physical fitness and overall performance. Furthermore, the stigma associated with smoking could lead to bias and discrimination in the workplace, affecting smokers’ employment opportunities and progression.

The study utilised data from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study, a longitudinal investigation involving 3,596 individuals from urban and rural settings across five Finnish university regions, born between 1962 and 1977. This data was correlated with employment outcomes sourced from Statistics Finland and parental background information obtained from the Longitudinal Population Census through personal identifiers. The research spanned from 2001, tracking individuals aged between 24 and 39.

Smoking habits were evaluated using “pack-years,” a metric that quantifies total tobacco exposure by multiplying the average daily cigarettes consumed by the number of years since the individual started smoking. For example, a 10-pack-year smoking history indicates a decade of consuming one pack of cigarettes each day.

The findings revealed that each additional pack year was linked to a 1.8% reduction in earnings. This suggests that decreasing smoking by five pack-years could enhance earnings by up to 9%. Moreover, the study noted a 0.5% decline in employment years for every pack-year increase.

There was a noticeable disparity in earnings between smokers and non-smokers among the younger demographic, especially among those with lower educational levels. In contrast, no significant differences were observed among older individuals. This indicates that smoking could have a more profound negative impact on the labour market prospects of younger generations, where smoking rates are generally lower.

The researchers found that the negative correlation between pack years and employment was only significant among current smokers, not among those who had previously smoked.

The study’s lead author, Jutta Viinikainen, highlighted the findings, stating, “Smoking in early adulthood is intricately linked to long-term earnings and employment, with the most severe repercussions felt by those with lower educational backgrounds. These insights underscore the necessity for policies that not only address the hidden economic costs associated with smoking but also encourage healthier lifestyle choices.” This body of research adds a crucial economic perspective to the ongoing public health dialogue, advocating for more stringent anti-smoking initiatives that could alleviate both health and economic burdens posed by tobacco consumption.

More information: Jutta Viinikainen et al, Tobacco Smoking in Early Adulthood and Labor Market Performance: The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study, Nicotine & Tobacco Research. DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntae296

Journal information: Nicotine & Tobacco Research Provided by Oxford University Press USA