How Quitting Smoking Can Make You More Productive and Successful

By Phyllis Baker

Many former smokers say quitting was the hardest thing they ever did. They also add that this decision was one of the most beneficial for them. And the benefits go further than simply improving their well-being. Smoke-free life makes people more fruitful in the workplace.

If your priorities focus on career development steps, then you should make one now and cut tobacco out of your life.

The Basics

At the most basic level, you will be a more productive worker if you are alive. It’s as simple as that.

The biggest tobacco brands report about the decline in sales volumes of cigarettes. The drop is caused by the currently increasing popularity and usage of e-cigarettes. They are advertised as not harmful smoking devices.

Most employees recognize the correlation between their habit and work performance. But quitting is difficult. They find it easier to buy the best vaporizer (find out more here). At least, it lessens the health worries.

As you know, smoking is a dangerous habit. Scientists and medics blame it for causing many diseases, including different types of cancer, heart disease, and various lung diseases. According to World Health Organization, tobacco use kills 7 million people each year.

After quitting, the risks of suffering from tobacco-related diseases gradually decline. And the production value of any employee largely depends on their state of health.

The Studies on Smoking and Productivity

An article published in the journal Tobacco Control reports interesting findings from a 1990 U.S. Office of Technology Assessment study.

The scientists monitored the attendance, productivity, and perceptions of ticket sales staff for a major U.S. airline. The employees were divided into 3 groups consisting of 100 volunteers in each: current smokers, former smokers, and never smokers.

The data showed that smokers took on average nearly 3 times as many days off due to sickness as did non-smokers, and significantly more time off compared to ex-smokers as well.

Those who had quit more recently still showed more absenteeism. They became on average 5% more productive than current smokers only a year later. So, the sooner you drop smoking, the better.

Fewer Distractions – More Time

From the point of view of common sense, you will be more productive if you leave off smoking as you will have more time to work. Smoke breaks constitute working hours not spent working. Besides, nicotine cravings won’t distract you while working on a project. And you will have one point less on your to-do-list (no need to buy cigarettes).

Of course, having a break or two is useful for productivity. But I realized that my smoking breaks not only took more time than my current non-smoking pauses, they were far not as effective as my new way of recharging. A short physical activity like 20 squats and 20 crunches gives me more energy than a cup of coffee and a cigarette.

I’ve done some calculating and discovered that I used to spend 2 hours on smoking breaks. It’s about two-thirds of my working day (I am a freelance writer and blogger). I was talking on the phone or checking my social accounts stretching some 5-minute breaks to 15 or 20 minutes. You will agree it is not convenient to do it while exercising.

So, how in the world was I getting my work done? I have since realized that I wasn’t.

More Puffs – Less Cash

One research shows that smokers earn 20% less money than non-smokers. If we take into account the money spent on cigarettes each month, the earnings will be even less. It strikes the attention that the income of both a social (weekend) smoker and a pack-a-day puffer experience a similar gap.

What can you expect if you quit? The researchers found out that people who dropped smoking more than a year ago earn 7% more than regular smokers.

Buying cigarettes is also a separate line item on a smoker’s budget. Using a portable vaporizer can help you save considerable money. The best vaporizer does cost more as it is technically advanced. But once you do the initial purchase, you will only need to buy consumables like replacement coils and e-liquid. It is way cheaper than smoking.

Non-Smoking Life Can Boost Your Career

When an individual becomes free from their bad habit, they strengthen their self-discipline. It takes great efforts and perseverance to overcome a nicotine addiction. Perhaps, that behavior transfers over into working place as well. It can explain the findings of the study from the previous section.

Self-discipline is a trait of careerists. Highly disciplined people have no problem with focusing on tasks and projects, show good attendance, and expect similar behavior from subordinates.

The Major Incentive

If an improved health and a higher production level are not weighty reasons for you to quit your bad habit, then this might be.

Remember the Office of Technology Assessment study mentioned at the beginning of the article? With a help of a standard questionnaire, researchers discovered that current smokers were the least satisfied with their lives. Smoke-free life is a longer, healthier, and happier life!

How to Quit Smoking?

Every smoker who had failing attempts to break off a smoking habit knows how hard it can be. Developing your stop smoking plan is an effective beginning. Create it using a START technique.

S = Set a quit date.

T = Tell your family, friends, and colleagues about your intention. You might need their support.

A = Anticipate the difficulties you might face during smoking cessation (nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cigarette cravings) and decide on the ways to cope with them.

R = Remove cigarettes from your house, car, and work.

T = Talk to a tobacco treatment specialist about getting help to quit. They can give you a medical prescription to lessen withdrawal symptoms. The pharmacy offers nicotine substitutes, such as nicotine patches, lozenges, and gums.

Today, many smoking employees switch to electronic cigarettes. Vaping community finds it a healthier alternative to struggling smokers. And it seems they are right. Those who choose e-cigs avoid 4,000 dangerous chemicals that tobacco smoke contains.

You may have already heard the vape news that the majority of vapers have quit tobacco. What if it will help you?

If you decide to pick up this type of substitute, read several vape reviews and find the best vapes. Almost all vaping products are crafted in China. So, there is always a possibility to buy a counterfeit.

Final words

Every worker wants to get a better position. But smoking drags down a workplace. And it is no longer a secret for employers. It also causes life-threatening diseases. Don’t let cigarettes ruin your career, health, and life!

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