The Public Health Authority (PHA) is calling on employers to support workers to quit smoking.
The call comes after results of the Northern Ireland Health Survey show that one in four of the North’s adults smoke, but this figure is closer to one in three (31%) for those working in manual occupations.
As a result, the PHA is urging businesses in to avail of the “Workplace Stop Smoking Service” which it has set up to provide free assistance for employers to help reduce smoking rates among their workforce.
Gerry Bleakney, Strategic Lead for Tobacco Control with the PHA, said smoking remained the principal cause of health inequality in Northern Ireland.
“The Workplace Stop Smoking Service is flexible and adaptable to suit the needs of employees and employers.
“It can offer a range of options including information sessions, a specialist stop-smoking service in your workplace that offers weekly support between 6–12 weeks and the opportunity for workplace champions to become trained as in-house stop-smoking specialists.
“At present we have over 65 businesses engaged in the service. If you are interested in becoming involved in the
“Workplace Stop Smoking Service, visit the PHA’s ‘Want 2 Stop’ website at www.want2stop.info for more information and for details of how to contact your local stop-smoking specialist service.”
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