British Workers Record Europe’s Lowest Smoking Rate

Media Release

21st June 2005

Almost half non-smokers say smokers less productive
Younger, less qualified workers smoking more.

Smokers are rapidly disappearing from British workplaces, with the UK recording the lowest rate of smoking of ten European countries.

A survey of more than 14,000 workers in Europe conducted by global recruitment agency, Kelly Services, found that the workplace smoke break is the source of serious divisions between smokers and non-smokers.

The Europe@Work survey, conducted in early 2005, found that 13% of UK workers surveyed admitted to taking time out for smoking breaks while at work.  This was the lowest of any European country surveyed. 

France recorded Europe’s highest rate of workplace smoking at 23%, followed by Germany and Italy (22%), Scandinavia (21%), Switzerland and Netherlands (20%), Belgium (18%), Spain and Russia (both 15%) and UK (13%).

Of those who do smoke at work, the majority took smoking breaks 1-3 times a day. 

The amount of time that smokers spend indulging their habit is causing tension among non-smoking workmates who believe it results in lost productivity.

Nearly half (45%) of all non-smokers in the UK survey believe that smoking breaks result in decreased productivity.  Older workers are far less tolerant of smoking breaks with 61% saying it reduces productivity.

The Marketing Director of Kelly Services UK, Steve Girdler said the findings show how much of an issue the workplace smoking break has become.

“It’s clear that the issue of smoking breaks is causing friction amongst non-smoking workers who resent the amount of time that their colleagues spend out of the immediate workplace.

“Some organisations have started to limit the number of smoking breaks in an effort to address this problem.

“On the other hand, some smokers argue that a break actually makes them more productive and provides informal networking opportunities where information is exchanged and ideas discussed,” Girdler said.

Amongst smokers, 43% think smoking breaks actually increase their productivity, and a further 52% believe it doesn’t affect their output either way.

Many workers were clearly unhappy about their colleagues spending time away for a quick puff.  Asked how they felt about their colleagues spending time on smoking breaks, 40% of non-smokers said they were unhappy.

Girdler said that health and legal issues, which have seen smoking banned from many workplaces, were likely to escalate – making life even harder for workplace smokers.

“The evidence of lost productivity is always going to focus the minds of employers.  Some have started taking active steps to discourage smokers from congregating in outdoor areas such as entrances and car parks”.

By industry sector, smoking in the UK was highest in Utilities (29%), Transport/distribution and Engineering (both 27%).  Workplace smoking was lowest in Science/pharmaceutical industries (2%), Government (5%), and Education (8%).

Younger workers smoked significantly more than older workers, while those with no post-school qualifications were heavier smokers than those with university qualifications. 

UK men (16%) smoke more than UK women (10%).

Kelly Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB) is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Troy, Michigan (USA), offering staffing solutions that include temporary services, staff leasing, outsourcing, vendor on-site and full-time placement. Kelly owns and operates 2,600 offices in 27 countries. Kelly provides employment for nearly 700,000 employees annually, with skills including office services, accounting, engineering, information technology, law, science, marketing, light industrial, education, health care and home care. Revenue in 2004 was $4.98 billion. Visit http://www.kellyservices.com