Eighty-eight percent of new employees polled are nonsmokers, and 25 percent seek nonsmoking environments when looking for a job, according to a recent survey by a maker of medical supplies.
The Internet survey was carried out by Johnson & Johnson K.K. in April and May and targeted 500 people aged 20 to 25 who joined the workforce this spring.
The survey indicated that 76 percent of them have never smoked and that 12 percent used to smoke but have quit.
The survey found that having a nonsmoking work environment is an "important" factor for 10 percent of the young workers and "quite important" for 15 percent.
Companies that have banned smoking or introduced nonsmoking conditions, such as limiting smoking to designated areas, are regarded by young workers as "clean and fashionable" and "forward-looking."