University Daily Kansan / Thursday, September 4, 1986
9
Smoking bans kill workers' desire to puff
United Press International
BOSTON — Banning smoking in the workplace helps employees kick the habit without prompting them to quit their jobs, researchers said yesterday.
"Workplace smoking bans do encourage people to quit or smoke less," said Michael J. Martin, a clinical epidemiologist at the University of California in San Francisco.
In a letter to the New England Journal of Medicine, Martin reviewed the experience of Pacific Northwest Bell, which banned smoking for all 15,000 employees in all company facilities in July 1985.
"Although the company initially received some complaints, not a single employee has left because of it." Martin said.
When the ban was announced, the company also unveiled a program to reimburse employees for participating in programs to help them quit smoking. In the first six months, 1,044
employees - 25 percent of all company smokers had signed up
"The actual number of smokers who tried to quit is probably much larger because many smokers prefer to quit on their own rather than by going to cessation programs." Martin said.
In the 26 months before the smoking ban, employees had the opportunity to participate in smoking-cessation programs. Only 331 employees signed up.
Under the bans employees who continued to smoke consumed fewer cigarettes. A company survey found that those who reduced their smoking cut back from an average of 29 cigarettes a day to 21. Martin said.
"There's a clear association between the health consequences of smoking and the amount they smoke." Martin said. "Cutting back by that much would have a clear benefit."
Martin attributed the success of the ban to the way it was carried out.
may it was carried out,
"Much of the ban's success is because it was
applied uniformly to all employees," he said. "Employees sometimes have objected to smoking bans that allow those with private offices to smoke while those in large open work areas cannot. This smoking policy applied equally to everyone."
Martin said many companies were considering smoking bans, primarily to save money Studies have shown that an employee who smokes can cost an extra $4,700 a year because of higher health care costs and absenteeism.
Martin said non-smokers also benefited because they were not exposed to their coworkers smoke.
"The risks are clearly there and it is time to start protecting the rights of non-smokers," he said.
Martin called for other businesses to adopt similar bans and said hospitals should take the lead.
Some 1987 Fords to come with motorized seat belts
United Press International
WASHINGTON — Ford Motor Co. Chairman Donald Petersen, saying automakers must strive for a legacy of improved traffic safety, announced yesterday that Ford would make standard motorized safety belts on some 1987 model cars.
Petersen said the passive belt system would be offered on the Ford Escort and Mercury Lynx subcompact cars, beginning with production in December.
"The legacy of improved traffic safety that we can leave our children and their children demands that we pay no less attention and act no less swiftly than we do with other national issues," Petersen said in a speech to the National Press Club.
The "Scared Stiff" traffic safety program demonstrates to young people that drugs and drinking do not mix with driving, he said.
Petersen, describing the safety belts, said that once the ignition was turned on, the belt rides backward along the track above the door to buckle up the driver and front-seat passenger. The belt slides forward for easy entrance and exit, he said.
A spokesman said that Ford, the second largest automaker, was the only U.S. car manufacturer to offer motorized safety belts on popularly priced vehicles.
SAVE YOUR MONEY,
CLIP A COUPON!
The Perfect Bed.
Town where the best experience with
applied equipment is found in town.
Besides the location of finest craftsmanship and
expertise, the town is conveniently located
for all those interested.
**COTTON PUFFS (PACIFIC)**
Cat. 895 (2018) (Washable) $34.99
Gat. 895
Fount. 177
Flirt. 177
King. 199
King. 199
---
Blue Heron
The Picture Works
13th & Haskell
and
6th Edition
5 x 7* .99c
5 x 10* $ .199
11 x 14* $ .139
"Twin Prints"
(color only)
*(color negative only)
-FREE
Sept, 5th-30th
Great hours, too. Kinko's is open early, open late and open weekends.
kinko's
Great copies. Great people.
12th & EXTAHA 841-8177
23rd & KOWA 749-5322
904 VERMONT 843-8019
GREENS
PARTY SUPPLY
808 W. 23rd
Weekly Beer Special
Sept. 3 - Sept. 9
Bud 12pk. $5.42
Bud Lt. 12pk. $5.42
Meister Brau 12pk. $3.59
Busch 12pk. $3.98
Weidermann 12pk. $3.75
Old Style 24pk. $7.37
NEW at THE HAWK TACOS & NACHOS
on THURSDAY NIGHT (Roll Out The Barrel)
and FRIDAY AFTERNOON (T.G.I.F.)
It Could Only Happen at...
THE HAWK • 1340 OHIO
Where you go for fun clothing and accessories:
Vintage, Formal Wear,
& Classic Clothing
Fun clothing - hats - formal wear - vintage - from the classics to the latest - from funky to formal - it's all right here in downtown Lawrence.
732 Massachusetts
843-0611
M-Sat 11-5:30 Thurs.-8
"Welcome Back K.U. Student 1/2 Price Day on haircuts only
at
Mane Tamers
2338 Alabama
841-5499
Reflections 2323 Ridge Ct. 841-5999
offer good from 9-6 on Sept. 6, 1986 for walk-ins only
QUESTION #1.
"It's a Party!"
WHAT IS THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR MOST COLLEGE STUDENTS?
a) AT&T-for everyday discounts of 40% to over 50% off weekday rates on out-of-state calls.
b) Short bursts of intense study followed by hours of frantic partying.
c) AT&T for exceptional value and high quality service.
d) AT&T-for collect, third-party and operator-assisted long distance calls.
e) Any class that does not conflict with "The Love Connection."
If you picked A, C and D, you're destined for great things. Like AT&T Long Distance Service. AT&T offers so many terrific values. Like a 40% to over 50% discount off our day rate on night, evening, and weekend out-of-state calls.
Imagine what you'll do with the money you could save Imagine what your parents would do if they found out.
Of course, you can count on AT&T for clear long distance connections any place you call. And AT&T gives you immediate credit for wrong numbers.
Call toll-free today,at 1800222-0300.
To find out more about why you should choose AT&T, give us a call. And if you picked B and E, call anyway. You could probably use someone to talk to.
© 1986 AT&T