A new study carried out to uncover the correlation between work stress and smoking has found that estate agents and those working in the property sector are the most prolific smokers in the UK.
The research, carried out by online retailer Haypp, reveals that more than half (55%) of respondents admit to smoking every day, which is a significant increase on the national average of one in eight smokers.
Stress, anxiety and general irritation have been identified as the three main factors that prevent people from quitting.
The 10 most addicted professions, whose workers admit to smoking daily, are:
Real estate agents and properties 55%
Builders and construction 48%
Social Care 47%
Hospitality 44%
Management 44%
Sales 42%
Retail 40%
Environment 39%
Tourism 38%
Leisure 36%
When discussing their reasons for smoking, the UK workforce cited stress (60%), anxiety (43%) and anger or irritation (33%) as the top three factors influencing how much they smoke.
Interestingly, five of the top ten causes of smoking were work-related: 25% smoked to release tension, 24% smoked after a hard day at work, 22% smoked to take a break, 21% smoked when I was under pressure. and an additional 21% smoke more frequently when faced with a higher workload.
Three-quarters (75%) of surveyed smokers working in law enforcement also admitted that they smoke more when under pressure, compared to the national average of 21%.
About 6% of respondents believe that smoking has helped them advance in their career.
Markus Lindblad, of Haypp, said: “The UK government has made great progress in reducing smoking, but it is clear that more can be done. “Research clearly shows a connection between work stress and smoking, so employers now have a role to play when it comes to reducing smoking rates.”
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