Smoking ban working well for Wellman
Author:
Accountancy Ireland
Despite the success of the smoking ban in the Republic of Ireland, the percentage of Irish smokers has not dropped significantly. We report on how one company has taken steps to help its employees kick the smoking habit.
A year into the smoking ban, two points have become obvious. The first is that the ban has been a success. Polls on the anniversary of the ban (in March) by independent research company, TNS MRBI, as well as by the Office of Tobacco Control, noted that 96% of those polled found the law to be successful; of which 89% were smokers (TNS MRBI); and that 98% were still in favour of the ban (Office of Tobacco Control).
However, the second point is that, despite the success of the ban, the percentage of smokers has not dropped significantly.
This poses an ongoing problem for companies; especially those operating fixed working patterns such as manufacturing plants.
One such company to face the smoking issue head on is Wellman International Limited (WIL), a leading manufacturer of synthetic fibres based in County Cavan employing some 300 people.
Cecil Conaty, Health, Safety and Environment Manager for WIL, has been with the company for more than 16 years. Looking after the 300 or so workforce in Cavan has included the development of a comprehensive employee health programme.
“Back in the early 1990s, we introduced free and confidential health screening programme offering a range of health checks to employees on a weekly basis,” says Mr Conaty. “Over the intervening years we have run different programmes to positively impact on our employees’ well being. In 2004 we ran a cardio vascular screening service and we also run a counselling service, which was very well attended by our employees.”
The smoking issue first raised its head back in 1997/1998 when the company introduced a no-smoking policy. Following the introduction of the policy smoking was only permitted in a smoking section of the canteen.
As part of the introduction to these changes WIL decided to put in a place a comprehensive smoking cessation programme for the smokers in the plant. “We offered smokers free nicotine replacement patches and nicotine gum. We also offered alternative methods such as hypnosis and acupuncture. In all, it was a significant investment run over the first year or so following the introduction of the no-smoking policy, but unfortunately of the approximate 80 or so people in the plant who smoked, only a very small number actually quit.
The company's policy in relation to smoking had to change again following the introduction of the workplace ban on smoking in March 2004. Under the new legislation it was no longer possible for employees to smoke indoors and an outside smoking shelter was provided. The company again decided to provide support to smokers at this time with the introduction of a second smoking cessation programme. However, following the limited success of the previous programme Mr Conaty was keen to try an alternative method and decided on the Allen Carr approach.
“What we liked about the Allen Carr method was the different approach when compared to the more traditional cessation options and we were attracted by the apparent high success rate. The decision was helped by the fact that we could contact a number of former Allen Carr corporate clients who were all very positive about their experiences of the service. We ended up offering the clinic to our employees at a nominal individual fee of €50 each.”
Take up on the course was strong, with 21 employees attending. Mr Conaty said that overall there was a very positive reaction by most people who attended the clinic, which was held in a hotel local to the WIL facility.
Following a request from a number of employees who had not taken up the initial offer, Mr Conaty ran another course. On this occasion the success rate was even higher when compared to the first clinic. To date there are a good number of employees who do not smoke thanks to the combination of the Allen Carr clinics and their own determination to stop smoking.
“I am not a smoker, but empirical evidence points to the fact that smokers need to want to give up before they can have any hope of succeeding. However, our own experience here has shown us that even people who want to give up also need to have the right tools,” Mr Conaty said.
Individual Accountancy Ireland readers who want to kick their smoking habit can get €30 off Allen Carr sessions. A normal session costs €295 but you can book for €265 provided you mention Accountancy Ireland when you make your booking. Allen Carr is also offering some special prices for corporate bookings. Again, you must mention Accountancy Ireland. For details call Breda Sweeney on 1890 379929.