New research from the public health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has identified significant differences between professions when it comes to exposure to second-hand smoke at work.
According to ASH, 14% of all workers in Britain report exposure to second-hand smoke on the job. However, the charity says this figure varies widely across industries. “Transport workers and those in hospitality top the list with those in media, education and pharmaceutical industries being the least exposed. This shows that current smokefree laws are insufficient to protect staff,” the organization said.
The data shows the highest reported exposure rates in transport (41%), hospitality (38%), energy-related industries such as electricity, gas, water supply, oil and gas (33%), construction (32%), and manufacturing (30%). At the other end of the scale, exposure was lowest among media (8%), pharmaceutical (10%), education (10%), charity (11%), and research and development workers (11%).
The charity emphasized the health risks of passive smoking, stating: “There is no safe level of second-hand smoke exposure and it has been estimated that non-smokers who are exposed face a 25%-35% increased risk of heart disease and a 24% increased risk of lung cancer.”
Although not among the top five sectors for exposure, health and social care workers reported a rate of 23%. ASH said this highlights the need for smokefree NHS sites and additional protections for staff working in people’s homes.
The group is calling on the Government to pass the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament. The proposed legislation would grant additional powers to extend smokefree zones, something ASH argues could reduce workplace exposure in transport hubs and hospitality venues.
Caroline Cerny, ASH Deputy CEO, said: “Everyone deserves to work in a safe, healthy environment—free from the dangers of second-hand smoke. Our latest findings indicate a stark divide: those with generally office-based roles are far better protected than those in manual and service-based roles. The Government must act without delay and pass the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to expand smokefree places to safeguard workers’ health, just as similar measures have done in the past.”
Labour MP David Taylor, who represents Hemel Hempstead, voiced his support for the legislation, saying: “No one should have to choose between earning a wage and breathing clean air. These figures from ASH show why I back stronger smokefree laws, to protect workers’ health, tackle inequalities, and make every workplace safe. This Labour Government is already taking bold action to stub out smoking for good, and this Bill will take us another step closer to a smokefree Britain.”
While ASH is advocating for stricter smokefree regulations, some critics argue that encouraging employers to support employees in switching to vaping could also reduce workplace smoke exposure in the short term—an approach the charity has not prioritized in its current campaign.
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