Smokers could get time off work to help them kick the habit

Helping workers to stop smoking could mean businesses actually save money based on the increased productivity, it is claimed.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has issued new guidelines for every workplace in England, as they prepare to go smoke-free from July 1.

Currently, smoking costs the Health Service an estimated £1.5billion each year, and industry an estimated £5billion in lost productivity, absenteeism and fire damage.

Andrew Dillon, chief executive of Nice, said: "Going smoke-free is a win-win situation for both employers and employees, and our advice sets out the best approach to making it happen."

A spokesman for the health Only 21pc want watchdog explained: "For example, a business with 20 employees, of which typically five would smoke, could spend just £66 on providing brief advice (including employees' time) and see an overall saving of around £350 based on improved productivity."

The recommendations include making information on local stop-smoking services widely available at work. Onsite support could also be provided.

Amanda Sandford, research manager at the charity Action on Smoking and Health, said: "Providing employees are offered help and directed to services with a good track record, this seems to be a very sound policy and will reap benefits for the individual and the employer."

But Simon Clark, director of the Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco, said it was 'absolutely ridiculous' that workers should attend stopsmoking clinics during working want Labour to stay habit hours.

"It's wrong to expect employers to accept employees taking time off, and I imagine their non-smoking colleagues will be very unhappy about it," he said.

"It's generally acknowledged these quit smoking courses are not very successful - it's a matter for willpower.

"And they are likely to be open to abuse - people will take advantage as they have an excuse to take time off work."

After July 1 this year, smoking will be banned in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England, and failure to comply will be an offence.

David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, which represents 100,000 small and mediumsized family-owned businesses, said: "The idea that business should pick up the tab for an individual's problem just shows how far (Nice) is from economic reality.

"It really is for business to create jobs. If people have a problem with tobacco dependence it is up to them to sort that out but not during working hours."