BHF urges employers to help workers quit for good this No Smoking Day

PETERBOROUGH’S accommodation and food service workers are more likely to smoke than workers in any other industry in the city, according to new statistics released by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) ahead of No Smoking Day on 11th March. (1)

Research has shown that smoking just one to four cigarettes a day can triple a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease. (2) The charity says that quitting is the single best thing people can do to improve their heart health.

Yet the UK workforce puffs through a staggering 74 million cigarettes on average a day – that’s 12 per smoker – significantly increasing their risk of a heart attack or stroke. (3)

The BHF has released new statistics based on the latest official data, ranking the UK industries with the highest smoking rates. The research highlights the urgent need for greater intervention from employers to help workers quit for good

The accommodation and food service industry came out worst where almost a third (31%) of workers smoke – almost three times the level in the education sector (11%) which ranked best.

The water and waste management industry ranked second worst with 29% of workers currently smoking, followed by the construction industry with 28% – significantly higher than the national UK smoking rate of 19%

The other industries with the lowest smoking rates included the professional, scientific and technology sectors where around one in eight workers currently smoke.

Previous research shows the average smoker takes more sick leave and working breaks compared to their non-smoking colleagues. This demonstrates the serious toll smoking has on people’s heart health which costs UK businesses an estimated £8.7 billion in lost productivity every year. (4)

The BHF’s Health at Work programme offers free expert advice to over 10,000 members on how to create a healthier workforce.

The charity is calling on all Peterborough employers to help their workers quit by joining its Health at Work programme and holding No Smoking Day events on 11th March.

Lisa Young, Project Manager for the BHF’s Health at Work programme, said: “No matter what industry you work in, smoking is extremely damaging to your heart health and the health of your business.

“But this research shows there is still a shocking divide between blue and white collar professions when it comes to how many of us are taking up this deadly addiction.

“Good health is good business. That’s why we want all employers to help us tackle these inequalities head on by helping their workers kick the habit for good.

“By taking part in No Smoking Day, employers could help their staff take the single biggest step towards a healthier heart whilst reaping the benefits of a stronger, more productive workforce.”

Every year nearly a million people attempt to quit by signing up to No Smoking Day.

To sign up to the BHF’s Health at Work programme and download free No Smoking Day resources, visit