Is It Your Time to Stop Smoking?

So much more than your health depends on it!

Over the last several decades the public has been made aware of the dangers of smoking.

As a clinical and medical hypnotherapist, and life and business coach, I see many people for smoking cessation. Over the years I have worked with thousands of people to successfully overcome their habit of smoking. Often these smokers are simply fed up with smell, the taste, and the unwanted health side-effects that come from smoking. Perhaps they are unable to walk, run or exercise without the burn in their chest and lungs. Perhaps a cough has developed and they know it is time to stop before their health is irreparably damaged. Perhaps they have friends and family that have expressed concern and they can no longer be around the self-destructive lifestyle. There are many reasons to stop smoking and most of them center on a person’s health.

Maybe you have heard people say “smoking is an old habit that dies hard.” There is much more to that statement. Perhaps better stated; “Many die-hard from the old habit of smoking.”

Times are changing yet again. You can add to the list of reasons to stop smoking. As a smoker, your job and even your career may be in jeopardy! That’s right.

Not only are people dying hard from smoking, now their jobs and chances of acquiring a new job are dying hard, too.

Smoking can affect your job search and your career. It is unhealthy, and it can be a red flag for potential employers.

During the past several months, I have worked with an increasing number of smokers who not only have wanted to stop smoking for quite some time; they now must stop smoking or face the loss of their jobs.

My practice has been impacted by this new breed of corporate smoke free policy. I am helping more smokers become non-smokers and doing so at a rapid pace. In fact, many businesses are engaging smoking cessation services on behalf of their employees and covering 100% of the cost.

As of January 1, 2013, many employers have instituted strict no smoking/smoke free campus policy. This goes beyond standard no smoking policy at work. Businesses are increasingly becoming totally smoke free campuses and will no longer employ people who do smoke. That means you must be a non-smoker all of the time, not simply a casual non-smoker while at work.

There are multiple benefits of these newly implemented non-smoker/smoke free policies. Some of these benefits include,

1) More pleasant smelling and healthier place of work. No longer will the smell of smoke pose an issue or health risk to all employees.

2) Lowered healthcare costs for employers and for employees.

3) Increased overall employee morale. The smell of smoke is gone – so too are complaints by non-smokers.

4) Enhanced workplace productivity by eliminating excessive breaks and interruptions to work flow.

5) Less absenteeism in the workplace due to illness resulting from compromised immune systems resulting from smoking.

6) Expanded corporate bottom-lines resulting from reduced healthcare costs, greater employee productivity, and reduced employee absentee.

Smokers like non-smokers have free will and choice – and so too comes the consequences of such choices. Although, nearly all employees elect to comply with the new smoke free employee policy and become non-smokers by the deadline, some do choose to continue to smoke. Those who continue to smoke will face the prospect of self-imposed unemployment this year.

In fact, it goes beyond the loss of a job, it is impacting careers. Many job seekers are being turned away in their job search by prospective employers, if they are smokers. It is impacting job searchers at all levels even those with excellent job interviewing skills, strong employment track records, and those with outstanding skills and experience.

If you smoke, the smell of the smoke lingers on your clothing. Since one of the many side-effects of being a smoker is a diminished sense of smell, you may think no one can tell you’re a smoker. However, a non-smoker often senses the smell of smoke quickly even at a distance.

The smell is part of the issue, as are the smoking breaks. If the company includes wellness programs, your habit also could indicate health is not a priority for you.

There may be a variety of reasons you aren’t getting job offers, but it helps to examine any habits that aren’t healthy.

A recent MEDCITY News article said, “The University of Pennsylvania Health System will no longer hire smokers and other tobacco users, starting in July. Job applicants must be smoke free for at least 6 months.”

Citing the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the CDC states, ” smoking and secondhand smoke contribute to 443,000 premature deaths a year and cost $193 billion in health-care costs and lost productivity.”

The CDC has stated in numerous press releases and articles, “Employees who smoke cost, on average, $3,391 more a year for health care.”

The University of Pennsylvania Health System further stated, ” In addition, smoke breaks during work may be disruptive and subject patients/colleagues to the unpleasant smell of smoke on employees’ scrubs and clothing,” the system said on its website.

You could have the best skills and a winning personality, but the increased costs in health-care benefits you may incur likely will overshadow your value to the employer. Companies not only have instituted smoke-free workplaces, they have instituted hiring policies regarding candidates who smoke, as well.

Smoking is one hiring criteria that may be part of the company’s published hiring policy or it may be a hidden factor. Either way, it can take you out the running.

And, you should know that if you are planning to stop smoking, now is the best time. Today is better than tomorrow, and this will certainly make your future a lot brighter and healthier. If you have been thinking about stopping smoking, be brave and do it now. Your decision will pay dividends that last a lifetime!

It’s easier than you think… in fact, it’s all about how you think that makes all the difference allowing you to become a non-smoker; enjoying a new healthier way of life.

Why not make your decision to stop smoking one of your priorities for 2013?

If it’s not on your New Year Resolutions List – add it to the list now (it’s never too late) and make it the next thing you do for yourself, and for your career.

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About the Author:

Dr. Blender is a Certified Clinical and Medical Hypnotherapist, Life Coach, Corporate Consultant, and Professional Trainer. He formed Hypnotic Therapeutics as result of his passion to help people and organizations to create rapid, powerful, and positive change.

Dr. Blender brings more than thirty years of client-centered experience working closely in a variety of settings and capacities including; business and professional development, coaching, consulting, counseling and training–empowering people and organizations to transition and transform.

To learn more about how you or your organization can quickly and effectively implement a smoking cessation program for greater health and wellness, contact Dr. Blender now 888-865-1870