Free smoking cessation courses and cigarette breaks without pay made the difference for smokers at transport provider

On 1 September 2019, the transport provider that has more than 100 employees and is part of Danske Fragtmænd announced that, as of 1 September 2020, the working day would be smoke-free. And although one might fear that such a decision would be met with opposition, reality proved different.

– It has been a fantastic journey, backed by our employees. We also chose to make the announcement providing one year’s notice as this would give the smokers time to lay off the cigarettes and provide us with the opportunity to help them do so. We have done this through providing ongoing smoking cessation courses in the workplace in collaboration with municipal experts, says Henrik Olsen, carrier and owner.

More specifically, the agreement for a smoke-free working day means that employees must pay for their cigarette breaks. For this reason, the remaining smokers have signed up to pay for any cigarette breaks they take during the working day.

– Everyone talks about smoking being unhealthy and yet nothing is done. My view is that, as an employer, you are obliged to take care of your employees and their health. Therefore, we felt obliged to take responsibility for giving them the last nudge in the right direction. We have done that by providing them with this offer, tickling their conscience and making smoking more expensive and troublesome than not smoking, says Henrik Olsen.

Employees support the initiative
Two former smokers are 35-year-old Rashid Taha and 43-year-old Casper Bergman. They praise the company for thinking of its employees and taking responsibility. And they are in no doubt as to what tickled them.

– I signed up both for my own sake and for that of others’. It is no good that we smell of smoke when we are at customers’ or when we walk amongst our colleagues at the terminal. Now, that is history. Personally, my home no longer smells and my daughter avoids passive smoking. And it is just liberating to be able to play a whole game of football without gasping for breath, laughs Rashid Taha.

Casper Bergman had no doubts when he received the offer. He signed up as soon as he could. Like so many others, he had long considered stopping.

– Getting a helping hand to take the last step was really great. And, although it has not been easy, it has gone better than expected thanks to the whole process. I can really feel the difference. My breathing has improved, I feel more vigorous and food tastes better. And my family is pleased that I no longer smell of smoke and that I can watch a whole film with the children without having to go outside, he says and adds that the course has spurred him on towards leading an even healthier life.

A step towards a healthier future
Because, although Peder Olsen & Søn has focused on smoking so far, this is not necessarily the end. According to Henrik Olsen, the initiative is part of a more comprehensive package to improve the general health of employees.

– By way of example, many were afraid that they would put on weight because they feared developing unhealthy eating habits if they stopped smoking. So, we affiliated a dietitian with the scheme and arranged a family day when the families became involved in the project and were given ideas for healthier packed lunches and diets. We have a hard time attracting new employees, so we have to do everything we can to take care of those we have. The important thing is that we take things at a pace that allows us to constantly nudge habits while ensuring that everyone is able to join in and still finds it exciting. And then we have to consider what our next step could be, concludes Henrik Olsen.