Smoking: Help is at hand

NEW figures show that just one-third of all smokers who aimed to give up smoking in 2009 were successful in kicking the habit, a statistic that clearly indicates the desire to quit but possibly the absence of the correct support for them to effectively do so.
As many people endeavour to stick to resolutions made in January to stop, this statistic demonstrates the challenge that they will face during 2010 to remain smoke-free.
Motivation to stop differs from person to person and often incorporates more than one factor. Reasons can include the related costs, health issues, legislation, social aspects, home life or work.
The key factor for many people seems to be committing to stopping too hastily or without the relevant consideration and dedication – in fact, 78% of people who make New Year resolutions fail in their attempts, becoming dispirited and despondent.
Those attempting to banish cigarettes from their lives must be committed and should aim to seek help from sources relevant to their own needs and past experiences.
A new smoking-cessation service in Aberdeen looks to motivate and inspire individuals to stop smoking, equipping them with the skills and self-inspiration to extinguish those cigarettes forever and achieve their goal.
Set Free from Smoking encourages participants to name a date for stopping and, most importantly, empowers them with the drive and determination to stick to it and stop permanently.
Kenny Keir, an IT co-ordinator with a major oil company in Aberdeen, was a recent workshop participant.
He said: “Previous attempts to stop using only willpower were unsuccessful and I knew I needed additional, more structured support to quit. The Set Free from Smoking approach offered me this and I have now been free from cigarettes for three months. In this short time, I already notice an improved fitness level and no longer need to incorporate visits to the smoking shelter into my day at work or stand out in the cold with the other smokers.”
Like Kenny, many people see smoking cessation as a personal battle. Of course, for the most part, this is true, but within the workplace, many employers now recognise their responsibility for the health and wellbeing of their employees and look to support them in any quest they may have to improve personal wellbeing.
As well as the health effects on their workforce, employers are also very aware of the potential economic and business benefits of encouraging a smoke-free workforce, and many choose to develop smoking policies in line with their corporate-social-responsibility strategy.
HR professionals are increasingly aware of the detrimental effects that smoking can have on the workplace.
John Booth, director of HR and training at VSA in Aberdeen, said: “VSA employs over 600 people in the city and surrounding areas, predominantly within our care homes. Every company has to deal with the issue of staff going for unofficial smoke breaks and the resentment this creates from non-smoking staff.
“The importance of managing scheduled smoking breaks within the care sector is vital as adequate cover must be available at all times and animosity between staff avoided.
“Any encouragement and focus that staff who are keen to stop smoking can be given is positive as the health and wellbeing of VSA’s staff is critical to the care that we provide to thousands of local people.”
As well as time, productivity and staff morale issues, other concerns within the workplace include absenteeism and safety.
Surprisingly, 20% of workplace fires are caused by discarded cigarettes or matches. Not only is there the very obvious safety impact, but it can also mean that a company’s insurance premiums rise, therefore affecting its bottom line.
Astonishingly, it is estimated that the resource cost in terms of losses from smoking-related fires is estimated at about £4million per annum in Scotland alone.
Absenteeism can also affect a company’s profits, as well as impacting on the overall business process if no adequate cover is available.
Research shows that the estimated cost of smoking-related absence in Scotland is £40million per year, while total productivity losses are estimated at about £450million per year.
It is clear that smoking within a company can throw up many issues and factors to take into consideration. However, employers must work with staff to improve their individual workplace situation, ensuring that they do not isolate or cause contention between themselves and their smoking employees.
The inspiration for Set Free from Smoking comes from Margaret Brown, herself a heavy ex-smoker, who delivers the workshop using an inspiring and powerful mix of techniques that allows participants to take control and overcome their addiction.
With a background in corporate leadership development and employee motivation, Margaret transfers these skills and methods into her workshops, tailored to both individual and corporate participants.
For corporate clients, Margaret will ensure that the workshop supports the company’s vision and objectives, incorporating relevant corporate language.
Her successful track record in leadership, motivation and behavioural change has seen her work on major leadership projects with various corporations, including Shell, Schlumberger, Subsea 7 and latterly Marathon Oil, which has achieved recognition within the prestigious Top 100 Best Companies to work for in the UK for the past three consecutive years.