NHS Whittington Health/ Smokefree Islington <Enter date>

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Jonah Dickerson
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1 Helping your employees go smokefree NHS Whittington Health/ Smokefree Islington <Enter date>

2 1. Why smoking matters

3 Why is smoking an important issue? Smoking is the main cause of preventable deaths and ill-health in England An average of 21% of people in England smoke but as many as 25% in Islington 18% of all deaths in England are attributable to smoking in adults over 35 years old. In Islington that figure is significantly higher. Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body and dramatically reduces both quality of life and life expectancy 1 in 2 smokers die from a smoking-related disease Highest prevalence is still amongst routine and manual workers Smokers from these groups make up 44% of the overall smoking population Smoking is more prevalent in deprived, lower socio-economic groups

in England are attributable to smoking in adults over 35 years old. In Islington that figure is significantly higher.

4 Why is smoking an important issue? And yet 70% of smokers would like to quit Health benefits of giving up are almost immediate Smokers using NHS support up to 4 times more likely to quit than using willpower alone

5 Most common serious/ fatal illnesses attributable to smoking In Islington the following smoking-related conditions cause significant numbers of deaths every year: Cancer of lungs and respiratory tract 85 deaths in Islington Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 58 deaths in Islington Heart disease 181 deaths in Islington Stroke 92 deaths in Islington Half of these deaths were premature, and therefore preventable. For every death caused by smoking, approximately 20 smokers are suffering from a smoking related disease. * Deaths are on average per year based on data from

Heart disease 181 deaths in Islington Stroke 92 deaths in Islington Half of these deaths were premature, and therefore preventable.

6 Medical conditions significantly aggravated by smoking Asthma Common cold & flu Multiple sclerosis Chronic rhinitis Crohn s disease Angina Smoking will aggravate these conditions and delay the healing process.

Chronic rhinitis Crohn s disease Angina Smoking will

7 Quitting smoking and life expectancy So what are the Department of Health doing about it? Years of life gained by stopping smoking at different ages, 30 to 60 Age at which stopped smoking Years of life gained Not only living longer, but with better quality of life and better health

Years of life gained by stopping smoking at different ages, 30 to 60 Age at

8 What are we doing about this in Islington? Making evidence-based support and treatment available for smokers to quit through the NHS Stop Smoking Services Working with partners across the Borough to coordinate smokefree campaigns and interventions and target key groups of smokers, through the Islington Smokefree Alliance Raising awareness, through communication and education campaigns, about niche tobacco products like shisha Our objective: to reduce smoking prevalence in Islington to 18.5% by 2015

partners across the Borough to coordinate smokefree campaigns and interventions and target key groups of smokers, through the

9 2. Smoking and the workforce

10 In the news SMOKERS in Sheffield are off sick eight days more than other workers every year - costing employers more than 30 million annually. The shocking statistics, revealed by Sheffield health experts, also say workers cigarette breaks are hitting the economy to the tune of 35.9m. And with the health effects of cigarettes costing the NHS 27m of treatment each year, smoking is costing Sheffield s economy a total of 93.8m. Published on Tuesday 10 January 2012 Sheffield Telegraph

The shocking statistics, revealed by Sheffield health experts, also say workers cigarette breaks are hitting the economy

11 The cost of smoking in Islington It is estimated* that smoking costs businesses in Islington per year: 16.2 million from lost output due to early deaths 11.5 million from lost productivity due to smoking breaks 9.9 million from sick days 2.8 million from early deaths due to passive smoking Total: 40.4 million Millions ( ) *Source: Passiv e smoki ng* Sick days Smoki ng break s Outpu t lost from early death

9 million from sick days 2.8 million from early deaths due to passive smoking Total: 40.

12 Smoking is everyone s business Islington prevalence is 25%, one of the highest of all London Boroughs. 90% of smokers are working age. Routine and manual occupations in Inner London: over 35%. For working age population, this is up to a third of the workforce. Smoking can cause premature death and early retirement through disability. This translates as loss of skills, knowledge and corporate memory. Having healthy productive employees is a business imperative.

For working age population, this is up to a third of the workforce.

13 Why should employers be involved? Improved employee health means: increased productivity (no unscheduled breaks to smoke, less time off sick from smoking-related illness) reduced costs (e.g. for temp staff cover) enhanced job satisfaction decreased risk of losing key staff and company knowledge due to premature disability or death better staff morale (including non-smokers who may receive fewer breaks than smokers or may have to cover for the time lost by smokers) a more resilient workforce better corporate image

14 How employers can help By taking advantage of NHS support for their staff, companies can improve staff health and wellbeing and increase productivity. In their guidance to employers, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE)* recommends companies should: Make information available to staff on stop smoking support Support those employees wanting to quit by allowing access to support sessions in working hours Build stop smoking support into company policy * Reference: Workplace health promotion: how to help employees to stop smoking. NICE public health intervention guidance 5. April 2007.

on stop smoking support Support those employees wanting to quit by allowing access to support sessions in working hours Build stop smoking support into

15 3. NHS stop smoking support

16 Islington NHS Stop Smoking Service Free one-to-one and group support by trained NHS advisors, in GPs, pharmacies and community clinics (including telephone support) Advice on Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and other stop smoking medicines Use of a carbon monoxide monitor to check level of addiction Specialist services, including support for Employers Islington NHS Smoking Helpline Open 9am 5pm Monday - Friday Smokefree website: For smokers to find their local NHS Stop Smoking Service and help and advice on quitting Includes video case studies, interactive tools and materials to download or order National NHS Smoking Helpline Quitters can speak to trained advisers from 7am to 11pm, 7 days a week

093 9030 Open 9am 5pm Monday - Friday www.smokefreeislington.nhs.

17 NHS Smoking Cessation Treatment Combination of the following interventions: brief advice self-help materials advice on using NRT specialist support over 6-8 weeks Studies have shown that NHS smoking cessation treatment is the most effective and successful to help smokers quit, and the most cost-effective service.

6-8 weeks Studies have shown that NHS smoking cessation treatment is the most

18 4. Business options for Employers

19 How can you take part? All Employers: Provide information on NHS Stop Smoking Services to staff, through various communication channels Support local and national campaigns, like Stoptober, e.g. an NHS stall in a supermarket Build Smokefree policies into Company policy NHS promotional & self-help materials are free to order from

communication channels Support local and national campaign

20 Additional options for employers Option 1: Training your HR or occupational health team to deliver advice and support or signpost smokers to services NHS can offer free Level 1 or Level 2 training to Islington-based employers Option 2: Recruit a freelance advisor to run a time-limited drop-in clinic NHS can recommend experienced sessional advisors

1 or Level 2 training to Islington-based employers Option 2: Recruit a freelance

21 Feedback...I was finding giving up very difficult. It didn t help that my husband, his friends and family are all smokers. Taking part in a stop smoking group at work provided the support I needed to make it easier. Leigh Taylor-Heron, EDF Energy The work-based sessions gave me the encouragement I needed to quit. I have increased stamina and feel a lot fresher and healthier. Matthew Hinchcliffe, Gold Medal Travel

22 Why invest time and effort to take part? Increased productivity Reduced costs More motivated and loyal staff Improved company image

23 Next steps For more information contact: Marina Chrysou, Smokefree project officer Tel:

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