Manual Roofers Among Workers More Likely to Smoke

MANUAL LABOUR EMPLOYEES are three times more likely to smoke, according to Public Health England (PHE) figures.

The PHE data reveals that nearly one in four employees in manual and service occupations in England smoke tobacco. That’s over three times more than those in office-based roles.

It comes after another report from a former government health advisor found more people taking up or continuing smoking in the UK after lockdown. The figures predict there will be 600,000 more smokers than expected next year.

More Likely to Smoke

Smoking prevalence in manual roles means these employees are 50% more likely to smoke when compared to the average in England. The data highlights the need for targeted support to encourage smoking cessation.

While high rates of smoking present health concerns for those in manual labour roles, the number of smokers in routine manual and service jobs has dropped by almost 30% in the last 10 years.

The government has set a target of reducing the number of smokers to 5% of adults in England by 2030. To achieve this, encouraging smoking cessation for those in manual labour positions will be key.

What Smoking Cessation Measures can be put in Place?

In a 2020 study, Quitting Smoking for Mental Health, ex-smokers were asked what their companies could have done to help them quit smoking.

• Smoking ban on premises – 30% of ex-smokers say that a ban on smoking on workplace premises would have been the greatest support on their quitting journey. Whether government-enforced nationwide or specific to workplaces, the effects are likely to be the same.
• Funding programmes for smoking cessation tools – 32% say that greater support in funding for smoking cessation tools (such as nicotine replacement therapy and vaping) would have further encouraged smoking cessation.
• Encourage nicotine replacement therapy in the workplace – 39% of ex-smokers say that allowing vaping in the workplace, or at least in a designated space, would have helped them to quit smoking. This was echoed by over a third of current smokers (34%), who believe they would be better equipped to quit if this was their workplace’s policy.

Dan Marchant, director of Vape Club and the UK Vaping Industry Association, says: “It’s clear that employers can be really effective agents of change when it comes to encouraging smoking cessation.

“With the right tools, an employer that’s proactive in promoting smoking cessation can make a huge difference to someone’s overall wellbeing, both mentally and physically – as well as reducing the ongoing strain that both smoking and smoking cessation services place on the NHS.

“We’ve certainly seen evidence that encouraging employees to quit smoking not only cuts down on the number of sick days caused by the physical impact that smoking has, but it also improves the individual’s mental wellbeing. It’s a no-brainer that companies should encourage more smoking cessation measures.

“Many employers are still playing catch-up with the NHS and Public Health England in acknowledging vaping to be one of the most effective smoking cessation tools.”

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