Norbrook supports employee health and social wellbeing

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has commended Norbrook Laboratories Ltd in Newry for taking part in the ‘Workplace 28 day stop smoking challenge’ to support their employees to stop smoking, and has congratulated the group of staff that took part.

The ‘Workplace 28 day stop smoking challenge’ was launched on 1 October to encourage and support workers to stop smoking and called for businesses to work with the PHA to make this happen. Congratulating Norbrook, Gerry Bleakney, Strategic Lead for Tobacco Control with the PHA, said:

“We are delighted to have Norbrook supporting our stop smoking challenge. If a person stops smoking for 28 days or more, they are five times more likely to stop for good.”

In Northern Ireland, smoke breaks are part of the daily routine for many workers. The 28 Day Challenge encourages smokers to come together with a more positive purpose, which is to support and encourage one another to quit smoking. The workplace is an ideal setting for breaking the smoking habit.

Commenting on the initiative, Derek Rodgers, Operations Director at Norbrook, said:

“Norbrook is one of the largest companies in Northern Ireland to have taken part in the stop smoking challenge. The initiative provides Norbrook an excellent opportunity to help promote health and wellbeing among our staff. Helping employees to stop smoking not only benefits the individuals and improves their quality of life, it also has a positive impact on the organisation as a whole as it helps to deliver better health in the workforce, increased productivity, improved staff morale and reduced absence due to sickness.”

Smoke breaks and additional sick leave taken by smokers are costing UK businesses £8.7 billion annually in lost productivity, so helping staff to stop smoking makes sense both economically and in terms of health, and shows that a business is committed to improving the wellbeing of its staff.

Gerry Bleakney added: “Having support from employers is essential if we are to reduce the numbers of smokers in Northern Ireland. We are delighted that Norbrook has taken part in the challenge and has successfully run stop smoking clinics to help its employees on their journey. I would also like to congratulate the individuals who have stopped smoking for 28 days or more and made a conscious decision to improve their health and wellbeing.”

For information and useful tips to stop smoking visit Stop Smoking (stopsmokingni.info).