taking care of business

WEDNESDAY sees Britain mark its 19th national no-smoking day. Many companies will use the event to further existing work-based schemes and workshops to help staff stop smoking. The London office of Yorkshire Water became a non-smoking workplace 10 years ago, and the company has previously brought in private companies to provide support for smokers in the workplace who are trying to quit.

Christine Lockwood works in occupational health at Yorkshire Water. She explains the benefits and problems of an in-work approach: "In the past we have used private workshops, but we don't get a very big take-up in classes.

Out of those who attend, though, a high percentage are successful."

Private organisations such as The Rosen Programme have successfully capitalised on the market for smoking workshops. The Rosen Programme offers a three-stage procedure based on creating a supportive communal environment in the workplace. Chris Burton, an Avon healthpromotion worker, involved with stop-smoking initiatives, agrees that this kind of external encouragement can be useful. "On your own," he says, "it's one per cent; with NRT [nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches] it's two per cent; and with NRT and good support it can go up to 20 or 25 per cent."

Further help for employers is now at hand. From this month, the Government launches a new workplace initiative in a bid to help employees quit smoking.

According to the Department of Health, the new scheme is based on a successful pilot run last year and will involve information packs aimed at employers. The packs centre on supplying employees with access to NHS-run smoking services.

Previous projects have seen NHS employees hold classes in the workplace, but Heather Tomlinson, of NHS personnel in Leeds, admits they have not been a complete success. "I think the problem is that the groups we have run have not been terribly well attended. You tend to get a big drop-off rate anyway, so if your group comprises four and that drops to two, it is simply not going to be as successful."

Occupational health worker Linda Busi works for HBOS, the new bank formed by the merger of Bank of Scotland and the Halifax. She aims to have an additional drive for national no-smoking day, with government help. "Every year the government launches a new campaign and we use this in the workplace," she says. "We'll put up posters and hand out leaflets to advise staff how to contact government services."

Similarly, the Leeds branch of Yorkshire Water has now taken up a Government programme, despite the small turnout at privately organised sessions. An NHS nurse from the local smoking services clinic now visits to give presentations and lend support to employees wishing to stop smoking.

So why are employers so keen to try antismoking initiatives? Chris Soni works in group employee relations for HBOS. He says: "Generally, we try to look after the health and welfare of our employees. It hopefully makes for a better working environment."

Cynics may argue that the motive is less altruistic. The effect that smoking may have on productivity in the workplace is well documented.

Although nicotine is a stimulant, long-term smoking suppresses the nervous system and carbon monoxide in the bloodstream means energy levels are lowered. The Rosen Programme points out to prospective clients that smokers often take longer to recover from illness. Employers are also aware of the time wasted on cigarette breaks (as are nonsmokers). Phil Rimmer, workplace specialist for Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), says: "Smoking habits vary, but a plausible pattern of nine cigarette breaks a day lasting 10 minutes each equates to nearly one working day a week."

Multiply this figure by thousands and we need not wonder why employers are so keen to help smokers to quit.

NHS smoking services: 0800 1690169

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