Smoking cessation in the workplace: results of an intervention programme using nicotine patches

In the workplace, employees need to be protected from the health threats of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. There is a significant cost to employers associated with employee smoking at work, yet the uptake and development of a well-defined policy on smoking are not widespread, and few policies tackle the issue through promotion of smoking cessation. Such an approach could not only reduce costs associated with smoking at work, but also have a direct impact on public health. GlaxoSmithKline has implemented a voluntary programme of smoking cessation support for its employees in the UK. The 10 week programme offers a series of one-to-one support sessions with a trained occupational health adviser, as well as access to nicotine replacement therapy patches. At 12 months (n = 123), 25 participants (20%) were non-smokers, of whom 19 (15%) stated that they had not smoked at all for the 12 month period. The other six (5%) had relapsed, but had since tried again and quit successfully. An additional three (2%) classed themselves as non-smokers but still smoked occasionally. Fifty-two per cent of participants stated that regular face-to-face contact and monitoring of progress were particularly useful in helping them to stop smoking. This provides compelling support for the active promotion and support of smoking cessation among employees.