Smoking among routine and manual workers remains a significant public health concern, with nearly one in four (23%) regularly smoking.
But when it comes to smoking cessation, we know a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work.
That’s why Be Healthy Bucks has adopted a targeted approach aimed specifically at this occupational group, combining community-based interventions and employer partnerships with a ‘swap to stop’ vaping initiative.
Suzanne’s smoke-free story
For Suzanne*, a manual worker registered with a GP in Buckinghamshire, this type of support was crucial in helping her make positive, lasting change.
Offering 8 to 12 weeks of tailored support delivered by our expert team of Stop Smoking Advisors, our free smoking cessation programme delivers sessions that can be attended in person, over the phone or online.
Between April 2024 and March 2025 alone, more than 1,000 people successfully achieved their first health goal of going four weeks completely smoke-free. Suzanne is one of them – and she’s already focused on her next milestone.
She explained: “Having regular telephone support calls has really helped me stay focused and on track to staying smoke free. I feel really motivated to continue this journey.”
Swap to stop
A key part of Suzanne’s success is our ‘swap to stop’ initiative. This approach has proven particularly effective with routine and manual workers, as well as those who are unemployed.
The scheme encourages people to switch from cigarettes to vapes – something that has already helped over 2.7 million people across the UK to quit smoking within the last five years. The higher prevalence and reduced stigma associated with vaping makes the offer of a free vape an attractive proposition.
Suzanne opted for the Totally Wicked GTL Bundle, which includes a variety of vape flavours in medium and low strengths.
“I still find the smell of cigarettes enticing. But the vape satisfies those cravings and really helps when I’m socialising around smokers.”
Community-based support
We’re committed to making our services visible and accessible in community locations where routine and manual workers spend their time.
This includes setting up information stands in industrial estates, at building companies and inside retail stores like Wickes. It allows our team to engage directly with our target group in settings they frequently visit.
We are also visiting staff smoking areas to identify companies with a high number of smokers, before educating managers on the employer benefits of helping their employees to quit smoking.
Our services are even being promoted on intranet training pages for employers such as Sainsbury’s, allowing employees to access the information they need to take that first step towards going smoke-free.
Focusing on financial incentives
For manual workers like Suzanne, the programme’s appeal also lies in its emphasis on financial savings. One in four workers believe their salary won’t keep up with the cost of living – and this is particularly true of manual and routine workers, who are often in lower-income roles.
Quitting smoking can lead to significant savings. On average, going smoke-free can save more than £2,500 a year, providing a powerful incentive to quit.
We also engage service users by discussing the health benefits of quitting in a positive, accessible way – emphasising how quitting can improve their physical, mental and financial health, without relying on clinical language or a repeated emphasis on the health risks that cigarettes pose.
Specialist support
Encouraging manual and routine workers to accept support and engage with smoking cessation services remains a challenge. But for those who do join our programme, the delivery and results are as effective as any other group.
And Suzanne’s success provides a clear example that targeted support does work.
Linda, Suzanne’s Stop Smoking Advisor, added: “I’m so proud of Suzanne’s progress. With the commitment that she’s shown so far, she’s really on her way to hitting her next eight-week smoke-free goal.”
To learn more about our support, or to refer someone to our smoking cessation programme, please visit our website.
* Individual’s name has been anonymised.
