EMPLOYERS are getting behind Stoptober – the annual challenge to quit smoking in October – as statistics reveal the number of work days lost due to smoking.

491,067 smoking-related sick days are taken each year in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Avon.-

Smoking currently costs the economy in the three counties a massive £228m a year.

Over 250 companies and organisations including major employers such as Asda, the British Army and Unilever are getting behind the annual Stoptober campaign.

The 28-day stop smoking challenge from Public Health England began on Wednesday, October 1 and is a major opportunity for employers to help their staff kick the habit.

Asda Deputy Superintendent Pharmacist Faisal Tuddy said: “The health and wellbeing of our colleagues is important to us and any colleague in England, Wales or Scotland who would like to attempt to stop smoking will get full support from their local Asda Pharmacy.

“We are promoting Stoptober to all these colleagues, as we know that quitting can be very difficult but a supportive workplace will make the process easier.

“We are committed to helping our colleagues improve their health and it is encouraging to see so many other companies also taking part.”

Fiona Andrews is the director of Smokefree South West.

She said: "There are so many reasons to quit, and clearly it’s not just the health benefits and the money that you save to think about.

“There are so many ways to quit too, and so much support out there. There are more ex-smokers now than smokers, so search 'Stoptober' online today and get help to quit for good."

Evidence shows that if a smoker can go 28 days without a cigarette, they are five times more likely to stay permanently smoke-free.

Stopping smoking can be a difficult process but it has significant health, monetary and social benefits.

New free resources are available for employers to support staff with the 28-day quit attempt.

Everyone joining Stoptober can choose from a range of tools to suit them, including a new stop smoking pack, a 28-day mobile phone app, text support with daily updates, quitting advice and tips for coping, as well as the encouragement and support from thousands of people through social media.

For more information and to join the biggest stop smoking challenge of its kind, search ‘Stoptober’ online and sign up.