Workplace stress is hitting estate agents harder than most other professions, new research reveals.
A study by vaping firm Haypp explored the link between workplace stress and smoking habits, finding that nearly a quarter – 24% – of Brits are more likely to light up after a tough day at work.
Among all industries surveyed, estate agents and property professionals emerged as the UK’s most prolific smokers, with 55% admitting to smoking every day. The research also identified the ten professions with the highest proportion of daily smokers – highlighting the sectors most affected by stress-related habits.
The 10 most addicted professions, whose workers admit to smoking on a daily basis, are:
Estate Agents & property 55%
Builders & construction 48%
Social Care 47%
Hospitality 44%
Management 44%
Sales 42%
Retail 40%
Environment 39%
Tourism 38%
Leisure 36%
When asked why they smoke, UK workers cited stress (60%), anxiety (43%), and feeling annoyed or irritated (33%) as the top three triggers influencing their smoking habits. Notably, five of the ten leading reasons were directly linked to work. A quarter (25%) said they smoke to relieve tension, 24% light up after a hard day, 22% do so to take a break, 21% smoke when under pressure, and another 21% said their smoking increases when workloads rise.
Those working in law enforcement were among the most affected by job stress, with three-quarters (75%) admitting they smoke more when under pressure — more than three times the national average of 21%.
Perhaps most surprising, 6% of Brits believe smoking has helped them get ahead in their careers. This sentiment was especially common in the science and pharmaceuticals sectors, where a third of respondents said they think smoking has given them an advantage at work.
Markus Lindblad, from Haypp, said: “The UK government has made great strides in reducing smoking but it’s clear that more can be done. The research clearly shows a connection between workplace stress and smoking, so employers now have a role to play when it comes to reducing smoking rates.”
