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Smoking costs workplace up to £2bn

08/06/2009

Smoking carries with it a £2 billion cost to industry, says the NHS.

The London School of Economics (LSE), on behalf of NHS Somkefree, has estimated the cost to the manufacturing industry alone is £208.2 million every year.

The NHS hopes that firms will take up its offer of free advice and clinics.

LSE's Professor Alistair McGuire, head of social policy, says firms can see lots of their money is "going up in smoke".

By creating a formula and applying it to business, Prof McGuire claims that it helps show "how small changes could result in major savings".

Airplane builder Airbus is one firm that has gone ahead and involved the NHS in a bid to help it cut costs and improve the health of its workforce.

Lucy Tully, an occupational health nurse at the manufacturer said: Our occupational health team worked alongside local NHS Stop Smoking Services to learn how to run successful quit sessions."

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