Encourage your workforce to go smoke free this Stoptober 

Stoptober is back, and we’re encouraging employers to join the campaign and promote a smoke free workforce.  

Millions of smokers have already quit successfully with the campaign, but the fact remains that over 5 million adults in England still smoke (Stoptober, 2025).  

The effect of smoking on workplaces 

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable illness and death in the UK, claiming nearly 75,000 lives each year (Gov.uk). But the impact doesn’t stop there.  

Research commissioned by Action on Smoking and Health showed the destructive financial impact smoking has on both individuals and the economy – effecting employment, driving down wages and costing the UK economy billions in lost productivity. 

In fact, smokers are 33% more likely to miss work than non-smokers and take an average of 2.7 additional sick days per year (The University of Nottingham). When combined with the loss of productivity from regular cigarette breaks, employees who smoke are estimated to cost UK businesses around £7.5 billion annually (Gov.uk), showing just how significant the impact smoking has on both individuals and workplaces. 

How you can support your workforce 

The 2025 campaign focuses on the core message of ‘Let’s quit smoking together this Stoptober’. This year’s message highlights strength in numbers and reassures those who want to quit, that they’re part of a large and supportive community.  

As an employer, you can play a key role in supporting your staff by signposting them to the range of resources and support available to help them quit.  

There’s a wide range of free quitting tools available, including the NHS Quit Smoking app, the personal quit plan, expert support from local stop smoking services and a smokefree Facebook support group. There’s also lots of information about aids such as nicotine-free medicines, nicotine replacement therapies and vaping, available at Quit smoking – Better Health – NHS   

The Stoptober campaign offers a fantastic range of free resources for you to promote the campaign within your workplace, including posters and booklets.  

While going ‘cold turkey’ remains the most common approach, attempts at quitting are far more successful when people use the support and tools available.