Unlocking healthier workplaces

Introduction

At Allen Carr’s Easyway, we believe that fostering a smoke & vape-free environment isn’t about compliance; it’s about empowering individuals to embrace a healthier lifestyle by breaking free from behaviours that make them feel trapped.

This approach benefits employees whilst also enhancing organisational productivity and well-being.

With National No Smoking Day on 12th March, employers can lead the charge and support their teams in the journey to quit smoking & vaping.

Benefits of supporting smoking cessation

Encouraging employees to quit smoking yields numerous benefits:

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  Healthier workforce & reduced absenteeism

Reduced smoking-related illnesses lead to fewer sick days and increased productivity.

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  Positive work environment

Promotes a supportive workplace culture that prioritises well-being.

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  Cost savings

Lower healthcare costs, decreased absenteeism and presenteeism contribute to financial savings for the organisation.

Practical tips for employers on running a programme

When implementing a smoking cessation programme, it’s crucial to strike the right balance. An overly forceful approach may be met with resistance.

Instead, gentle, positive, and humorous prompts are more likely to resonate with smokers and vapers, encouraging their desire to quit.

Planning your campaign

1. Assess employee needs

   Begin by understanding the smoking usage of your staff. Conduct surveys or informal discussions to gain insights into their level of interest and readiness to quit. Additionally, if you plan to include employees’ partners and dependents in your programme, assess their smoking and vaping levels as well.

2. Create a supportive environment

   Foster a workplace culture that encourages quitting. Such as clear smoking/vaping areas and promoting a non-judgmental atmosphere.

3. Set clear goals

   Define measurable objectives for your programme, such as expressions of interest, the number of participants, cessation rates, or reduction in smoking breaks. This helps in evaluating the success of your campaign and measuring return on investment.

Resources and Support

1. Workshops

   Organise sessions led by healthcare professionals like Allen Carr’s Easyway to help users to quit. Worksite and public seminars are delivered either in person or online. Be mindful of shift workers and particularly busy times of the year that you may want to avoid.

2. Access to NHS services

   Direct employees to National Health Service (NHS) Smoking Cessation services. In a growing number of areas this includes the drug free method Allen Carr’s Easyway.

3. Promotional materials

   Obtain smoking cessation promotional materials from NHS or Allen Carr’s Easyway. These can include posters, leaflets, and digital content to raise awareness.

In-House campaign strategies

1. Launch events

   Kick off your program with a launch event to generate enthusiasm. This could feature personal testimonials from ex-smokers among staff, and distribution of programme materials.

2. Rewards and incentives

   Consider offering incentives for participation or successful cessation milestones. These could range from gift vouchers to additional days off, reinforcing positive behaviour change.

Monitoring and evaluation

1. Feedback

   Establish channels for feedback to gauge employee satisfaction and identify areas for improvement in the programme.

2. Regular updates

   Keep employees informed about programme progress, upcoming events, and available support resources through internal communication channels.

3. Celebrate success

   Recognise and celebrate achievements, such as quitting milestones or significant reductions in smoking rates, to sustain motivation and commitment.

Implementing a smoking cessation programme requires thoughtful planning, effective communication, and access to appropriate resources. Employers play a crucial role in supporting employees to quit, contributing to a healthier workplace and fostering a culture of care and well-being. Every step towards a smoke-free workplace benefits both individuals and the organisation

Practical tips for smokers on how to quit

If you are producing promotional messages and collateral for No Smoking Day, here are 10 top tips you can pass on to encourage staff to stop smoking.

1. Set your date and time to stop

   Carry on smoking as usual right up to that time – don’t try to cut down beforehand, that just makes cigarettes seem precious when, in reality they are not actually providing a genuine benefit.

2. Remember – you’re not giving up anything

   Cigarettes do nothing for you. They seem to make you feel better – but remember – all each cigarette does is end the period of dissatisfaction created by the previous one.

   That’s how drug addiction works. That’s how we are fooled into thinking we like smoking – or at least get some form of help from it.

   3. Have a final cigarette

   You’re going to give up smoking easily so make a solemn vow

   There’s nothing to give up – you’re getting rid of something. Have your final cigarette and make a solemn vow that regardless of what highs or lows may come up in future, you will never smoke or take nicotine in any form again.

   4. Be cool about withdrawal symptoms.

   Your body will continue to withdraw from nicotine.

   The physical withdrawal is very slight, painless and passes quickly. What’s more, smokers experience this all their smoking lives but non-smokers do not . As a non-smoker you’ll soon be free of it forever.

   5. Socialise as normal

   You won’t be craving a cigarette so there’s no need to avoid smokers.

   Do not try to avoid smoking situations or opt out of life. Go out and enjoy social occasions right from the start and do not envy smokers.

   6. Think about smoking

   Don’t try to “not to think” about smoking – it doesn’t work

   If I say: “Don’t think about a banana”, what are you thinking about?

   7. There’s no such thing as “just one” cigarette after you quit smoking.

   The next cigarette is the continuation of a problem not the solution; Understand that each cigarette simply momentarily relieves the discomfort caused by the previous one.

   That’s how addiction works. The more you experience the effect the more convinced you are that the cigarette is solving the problem rather than causing it.

   8. Avoid substitutes & vaping

   Nicotine Patches, gums, nasal sprays and vapes make it more difficult to stop because they perpetuate the illusion that you’re making a sacrifice and they keep you addicted to nicotine.

   9. Ditch your cigarettes.

   You are already a non-smoker the moment you put out your final cigarette.

   Do not keep cigarettes on you or anywhere else in case of an emergency. If you do, it means you’re doubting your decision. Non-smokers do not need cigarettes

   10. Enjoy your freedom.

   Live a smoke-free life and be on your guard not to fall back into the trap.

   If your brain ever starts playing tricks on you by thinking “Just one cigarette”, remember there is no such thing.

The rise of vaping among staff

Vaping has become prevalent among staff, including those who never smoked before.

Despite its popularity, vaping is not safe.

It is often perceived to be safer than smoking, but the long-term health effects are still being evaluated, and it can lead to nicotine dependency.

Why & how employers should support vapers to quit

Vaping has been promoted as a ‘healthier’ alternative to smoking, but many vapers find themselves just as trapped as smokers—chained to their devices, anxious when they can’t vape, and struggling to quit.

This dependency has a significant impact on their mental health, leading to increased anxiety and stress.

Why employers should support vapers to quit

1. Increased productivity & focus

   Vapers, like smokers, suffer a cycle of distraction—constantly thinking about their next fix, taking breaks, and struggling to concentrate. Helping employees quit removes this constant distraction, allowing them to focus fully on their work.

2. Reduced sick days & improved health

   Vaping is not ‘harmless’. emerging evidence highlights its negative health effects, including lung problems, cardiovascular issues, and dependency.

   Employees who quit vaping experience fewer respiratory illnesses and have better long-term health, meaning fewer sick days and greater workplace well-being.

3. Compliance & reputation

   Many workplaces already have policies restricting vaping but enforcing them can be a challenge.

   A proactive approach to quitting removes the need for policing and enhances the company’s reputation as a caring and forward-thinking employer.

How employers can help vapers quit

1. Recognise that vaping is a trap – not a choice

   Vapers don’t ‘choose’ to vape; they are trapped in the illusion that they need it to relieve stress, focus, or enjoy life.

   The truth is, the stress, lack of concentration, and cravings are CAUSED by vaping itself.

2. Provide access to a proven quit method

   Willpower-based methods often fail as they leave vapers feeling deprived., employers should address the root cause—the belief that vaping provides benefits.

   Allen Carr’s Easyway has helped millions quit nicotine—without willpower, fear, or weight gain.

3. Offer incentives for quitting

   Consider offering incentives such as covering the cost of a reputable quit programme, extra wellness benefits, or recognising employees who successfully quit.

4. Make quitting easy & accessible

   Bringing a quit program directly into the workplace makes it effortless for employees to take part. Online or in-person quit sessions increase success rates dramatically.

Practical tips for vapers on how to quit

Here are some top tips you can pass on to actively encourage staff to stop vaping.

1. Set your date and time to stop

   You’re going to quit vaping naturally so carry on vaping as usual until then.

2. Look forward

   Remember, e-cigarettes and vaping offer no real pleasure or support; they only keep you addicted to nicotine.

3. Have a final vape

   You’re going to give up vaping easily so make a solemn vow

4. Be cool about withdrawal

   The physical withdrawal is very slight and passes quickly

   Your body will continue to withdraw from nicotine for a few days but that doesn’t mean you have to be miserable or crave e-cigarettes.

5. Socialise as normal

   You won’t be craving a vape so there’s no need to avoid vapers or smokers

6. Think about vaping

   Don’t try to “not to think” about vaping – it doesn’t work

   If I say: “Don’t think about a banana”, what are you thinking about?

7. There’s no such thing as “just one” vape after you quit

   The next vape is the continuation of a problem not the solution; Each vape momentarily relieves the discomfort caused by the previous one.

   That’s how addiction works.

8. Avoid substitutes

   Nicotine Patches, gums, and nasal sprays make it more difficult to stop because they perpetuate the illusion that you’re making a sacrifice.

9. Ditch your vapes

   Do not keep vapes on you or anywhere else in case of an emergency. If you do, it means you’re doubting your decision. Non-vapers do not need vapes.

10. Enjoy your freedom

    Live a smoke-free life and be on your guard not to fall back into the trap.

    If your brain ever starts playing tricks on you by thinking “Just one vape”, remember there is no such thing.