{"id":17647,"date":"2022-01-13T14:21:01","date_gmt":"2022-01-13T14:21:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.totallywicked-eliquid.co.uk\/vaped\/?p=17647"},"modified":"2025-03-12T12:06:44","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T12:06:44","slug":"can-employers-support-smokers-to-quit-in-the-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.totallywicked-eliquid.co.uk\/vaped\/can-employers-support-smokers-to-quit-in-the-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"Can employers support smokers to quit?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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There is no legal obligation for employers to provide support to help employees quit smoking. However with the opportunity to reduce sickness and boost productivity, could smoking cessation support be the \u2018missing benefit\u2019 that many HR departments are overlooking? The main question is, can employers support smokers to quit?

The economic costs of tobacco use in the UK are estimated at over \u00a313 billion per year. This includes workplace absenteeism and loss of productivity due to illness and smoking breaks. Smoking breaks at work alone are said to cost British businesses as much \u00a38.4 billion a year in lost productivity of smokers.

Even a low percentage of smoking employees can be costly, and the the benefits to employers in helping employees to quit are significant. There are proven links between smoking and absenteeism in working adults. Current smokers have a 33% increase in risk of absenteeism <\/a>(1) compared to non-smokers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What employers can do<\/strong> to support employees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Quitting smoking can be a challenge for even the most motivated of people. Smokers who get the right support are 3 times as likely to quit successfully<\/a> as those using willpower alone. However, seeking help from your GP or local stop smoking services<\/a> can feel like a big step to take. This often comes with the added barrier of having to take time off work to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smoking cessation support is one of the more tangible benefits that employers can offer.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It demonstrates company-wide improvements to employee wellbeing and encourages a healthier lifestyle. It reduces friction amongst non-smoking employees who may resent the extra breaks that smokers take. Of course it also promotes a smoke-free workplace.

So what can employers be doing to help employees quit? Guidance from the National Institute of Clinical Health and Excellence (NICE) advises employers should:<\/p>\n\n\n\n