Smokers 'costing industry £160m a year' (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Smokers 'costing industry £160m a year'

5:06pm Friday 5th June 2009

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Smokers are costing industry £160 million per year in Yorkshire and Humber, according to a new report.

Cigarette breaks and smoking-related sick leave is behind the huge loss, according to an NHS Smokefree report by the London School of Economics.

Now the NHS is offering free assistance to employers in the workplace, such as one-to-one or group support sessions with trained stop smoking advisers.

Professor Paul Johnstone, regional director of public health at NHS Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “More people than ever are giving up smoking, thanks to NHS Smoke Free and the ban on smoking in public buildings.

“It is fantastic that we are offering this service to employers, it really is a win – win situation, smokers are helped to give up and employers can save some money.

“There are huge health benefits in giving up smoking. You will reduce your risk of developing illness, disability or death caused by cancer, heart or lung disease and you will also save money.

“£160 million is an astonishing figure, in times like these as a society we cannot afford to lose money in this way. This affects everyone and is another good reason to give up smoking.”

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