MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Motoring
  • Video
MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Motoring
  • Video
Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

Everything You Need To Know About Vaping And Its Effect On Your Health

Everything You Need To Know About Vaping And Its Effect On Your Health

Slice Your Cancer Risk With Stuffed Crust Pizza

Slice Your Cancer Risk With Stuffed Crust Pizza

You Can Mimic A Cardio Workout... Without Doing Anything At All

You Can Mimic A Cardio Workout... Without Doing Anything At All

Rising Carbon Dioxide Levels Are Resulting In Nutritional Deficiencies

Rising Carbon Dioxide Levels Are Resulting In Nutritional Deficiencies

{headline}

{headline}

Consulting 'Dr. Google' Is Not Always A Bad Move, Says Study

Consulting 'Dr. Google' Is Not Always A Bad Move, Says Study

Salt Might Not Be As Bad For Your Health As Previously Thought

Salt Might Not Be As Bad For Your Health As Previously Thought

What Is The Carnivore Diet & Should You Try It?

What Is The Carnivore Diet & Should You Try It?

{headline}

{headline}

Here's What The White Stripes On Your Chicken Really Mean

Here's What The White Stripes On Your Chicken Really Mean

What You Need To Know About Lung Health

What You Need To Know About Lung Health

A Huge Number Of 26 Year-Olds Are Holding Onto Their Virginity

A Huge Number Of 26 Year-Olds Are Holding Onto Their Virginity

Why Your late Nights Could Be Killing You

Why Your late Nights Could Be Killing You

New Study Shows That Men Should Be Doing All The Cleaning

New Study Shows That Men Should Be Doing All The Cleaning

Crash Dieting Can Take Down More Than Just Your Weight

Crash Dieting Can Take Down More Than Just Your Weight

Here's How to Survive a Nuclear Attack (You Know, Just In Case You Were Wondering)

Here's How to Survive a Nuclear Attack (You Know, Just In Case You Were Wondering)

  1. Home
  2. Life

Nonsmokers Rewarded With Extra Leave

A Japanese firm is providing employees with a great incentive to quit - by Scott Henderson
  • 08 Nov 2017
Nonsmokers Rewarded With Extra Leave
Getty Images

Smoking is definitely on the decline in Australia, with most offices, public spaces, and beaches all now smoke free. However despite the positive drop, there are still 2.6 million Australian adults lighting up on a daily basis according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Despite the scary statistics, the ABS reports that rates of daily smoking are down 10 per cent on the previous decade, demonstrating the positive effect of anti-smoking campaigns and initiatives.

Further abroad, similar problems exist, with some nations getting a little more creative in their push towards cleaner lungs. A Japanese marketing firm is upping the ante, and giving its employees with added incentive to give kick the habit. If reduced chances of lung cancer weren’t good enough incentive, Piala Inc is now providing employees with 6 extra days of annual leave in return for ditching smoking breaks.

"I hope to encourage employees to quit smoking through incentives rather than penalties or coercion", the company's CEO Takao Asuka explains.

Smoking is a huge health concern in Japan. A survey undertaken in 2016 found that 19.8 per cent of Japanese adults smoke, although the figures are on the decline.

Related: Ever Smoked? This Is The Diet You Need To Protect Your Lungs

“One of our nonsmoking staff put a message in the company suggestion box earlier in the year saying that smoking breaks were causing problems,” Hirotaka Matsushima, a spokesman for the company, told The Telegraph. “Our CEO saw the comment and agreed, so we are giving nonsmokers some extra time off to compensate.”

Employees were noting the impact of smoking breaks not only on their colleagues’ health, but drops in productivity as a result of time away from their desks.

The company’s employees have applauded the move. Before the incentive was introduced in September, it was noted that each smoke break taken took smokers away from their duties for 15 minutes. Given that their office is located on the 29th floor, taking a quick break outside isn’t an easy feat.

The offer was made to the employees back in September and since then at least 30 of the company’s 120 employees have taken advantage of the perk and taken extra time off, said Matsushima.

The extra time off work also addresses another major health epidemic affecting Japanese workers. The suicide rates are up by almost 45 per cent in some demographics, with overworking known to be a chronic contributor.

The trend seems to be catching on, in Japan at least, with other firms following suit. Back on home soil, it seems like an initiative that could really take off. Why not suggest it to your boss and lap up another week of annual leave, and clear the airways in the process?

Related: 5 Daily Habits That Are Just As Bad As Smoking

  • News
  • Health
  • Life

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Recommended to you

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

Everything You Need To Know About Vaping And Its Effect On Your Health

Everything You Need To Know About Vaping And Its Effect On Your Health

Slice Your Cancer Risk With Stuffed Crust Pizza

Slice Your Cancer Risk With Stuffed Crust Pizza

You Can Mimic A Cardio Workout... Without Doing Anything At All

You Can Mimic A Cardio Workout... Without Doing Anything At All

Rising Carbon Dioxide Levels Are Resulting In Nutritional Deficiencies

Rising Carbon Dioxide Levels Are Resulting In Nutritional Deficiencies

{headline}

{headline}

Consulting 'Dr. Google' Is Not Always A Bad Move, Says Study

Consulting 'Dr. Google' Is Not Always A Bad Move, Says Study

Salt Might Not Be As Bad For Your Health As Previously Thought

Salt Might Not Be As Bad For Your Health As Previously Thought

What Is The Carnivore Diet & Should You Try It?

What Is The Carnivore Diet & Should You Try It?

{headline}

{headline}

Here's What The White Stripes On Your Chicken Really Mean

Here's What The White Stripes On Your Chicken Really Mean

What You Need To Know About Lung Health

What You Need To Know About Lung Health

A Huge Number Of 26 Year-Olds Are Holding Onto Their Virginity

A Huge Number Of 26 Year-Olds Are Holding Onto Their Virginity

Why Your late Nights Could Be Killing You

Why Your late Nights Could Be Killing You

New Study Shows That Men Should Be Doing All The Cleaning

New Study Shows That Men Should Be Doing All The Cleaning

Crash Dieting Can Take Down More Than Just Your Weight

Crash Dieting Can Take Down More Than Just Your Weight

Here's How to Survive a Nuclear Attack (You Know, Just In Case You Were Wondering)

Here's How to Survive a Nuclear Attack (You Know, Just In Case You Were Wondering)

MensHealth
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Chris Hemsworth Hugo Boss
  • Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Chris Hemsworth Hugo Boss
  • Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

  • Women's Health

Our Network

  • Paragon Media Pty Ltd
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Men's Health

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe Now-

Shop This Offer
Subscribe Now