Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has proclaimed Jan. 29 through Feb. 4 as Tobacco-Free Oklahoma Week – a week highlighting the price all Oklahomans pay for tobacco use, whether they smoke or not.
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in Oklahoma. It costs more than 6,000 Oklahomans their lives each year and causes untold heartbreak to thousands more family members. But the cost of tobacco use doesn’t stop with the loss of life and grief. The financial burden from tobacco use falls on every Oklahoma business and citizen.
On average, Oklahoma businesses lose $4,400 each year for every employee that smokes. This economic loss is due to increased sick days and disability, higher medical and insurance costs, and shorter, less productive work-lives.
Oklahoma’s annual health care costs directly caused by smoking are $1.16 billion, including $218 million in Medicaid costs.
Every Oklahoma household on average pays $548 each year in state and federal taxes related to smoking costs, whether anyone in the household smokes or not.
“Reducing tobacco use and making a commitment to a healthier workforce must be a top priority for all Oklahomans if we are serious about continued economic growth for the state,” said Tracey Strader, executive director of the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET). “Existing and prospective employers closely examine health care costs when considering expansion and relocation. A healthy workforce can only sharpen our competitive edge and further economic development for the state.”
Businesses can take actions to improve the health of their employees. Simple steps, such as making business properties tobacco-free, and offering health insurance that covers tobacco cessation can improve the bottom line. More and more businesses are also participating in the Oklahoma Certified Healthy Business program sponsored by The Academy for State Goals, the Oklahoma Turning Point Council, The State Chamber of Commerce and the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH). This year more than 75 businesses qualified with an excellence rating, supporting tobacco-free worksites.
“We know, and other states have demonstrated, that tobacco use can be reduced through effective policies and programs at local and state levels,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Terry Cline. “However, until the laws put in place in Oklahoma in the 1980s and 90s due to tobacco industry influence are repealed, and local rights are returned to communities, Oklahoma’s cities and towns will continue to be prohibited from passing local tobacco prevention ordinances that protect their citizens and help create a healthier workforce.”
