Smoke? Lose a holiday….

Another incentive for non-smokers and for smokers to give up smoking. Tokyo-based marketing firm Piala Inc. is giving its non-smoking employees an extra six days of paid time off per year to make up for smokers’ cigarette breaks.

This perk was announced after employees complained that they were working more hours than staff who took time off to smoke a cigarette. Each smoking break lasted 15 minutes.

Post the announcement of this perk, at least 30 of the company’s 120 employees have taken the extra days off. The incentive has also encouraged four people to give up smoking.

In Japan, thanks to the increasing awareness, tougher regulations and higher cigarette prices, smoking has come down. A recent survey by Japan Tobacco found that the smoking rate among people aged 20 and older fell 18% in 2018 v/s 36% in 1989.

This is a brilliant move and can be used as a perk for non-smokers in India too. We should do anything and everything to encourage people to give up smoking as Govt cannot stop tobacco production as it’s a major revenue earner. Vapping does not impact which is why it is now banned. Putting mere pictures on the carton does not discourage those who want a smoke – they know the health hazards and still smoke, don’t they? Maybe such positive moves is what is required to gently urge smokers to give up.