How Employers Can Support Tobacco Cessation in the Workplace

Creating a healthier, more productive workforce, one step at a time.

Tobacco use, predominantly cigarettes and shisha, remains a significant health concern across the GCC. While many individuals want to quit, the journey can be incredibly difficult without the right support systems in place. Employers in the region are in a unique position to drive positive change by creating tobacco-free environments and offering the tools employees need to quit successfully.

At Gulf Care, we believe that supporting the cessation of tobacco use isn’t just about better health outcomes, it’s also about building a culture of care and long-term sustainability in the workplace.

Tobacco Use in the GCC: A Serious Workplace Concern

In the GCC, the use of cigarettes and shisha is deeply embedded in social norms. While awareness around the risks is increasing, tobacco remains a leading cause of chronic disease, absenteeism and reduced workplace performance. While numbers are hard to come by, according to a 2022 study of approximately 3,327 university students from Dubai and Palestine, 16% of Dubai-based respondents smoke cigarettes. Waterpipe (shisha) use is even more prevalent, with 26% of students in Dubai reporting regular use. 17% of the Dubai students said they smoke shisha as a way to manage or reduce their weight. A survey in Qatar from 2013 showed that 3.4% of the country’s adults smoked shisha and a follow-up study in 2022 showed that, of 281 smokers, nearly half (48.8%), smoked shisha.

Individuals who use tobacco may face higher medical costs and increased risk of conditions such as heart disease, strokes, cancers and respiratory illness. For businesses, this translates into lost productivity, more sick days and rising healthcare expenses. According to health studies, tobacco and alcohol, use is also associated with presenteeism - being at work but not performing at full capacity, which can quietly drain organizational performance over time.

How Employers Can Make a Difference

Creating a workplace that supports tobacco cessation doesn’t have to be intrusive or punitive. On the contrary, a respectful and encouraging approach can lead to better outcomes and stronger employee trust. Here’s how employers can lead the change:

1. Provide Access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is one of the most impactful tools a company can offer. These confidential services can connect employees with mental health professionals, wellness coaches, and cessation support - helping them address both the psychological and behavioral components of quitting tobacco.

A well-designed EAP can help employees:

• Understand their triggers

• Set realistic goals

• Access nicotine replacement therapy or prescription options

• Receive ongoing counselling and motivation

By integrating EAPs into your company’s wellness offerings, you not only support employees who are trying to quit, but you also signal to your wider workforce that their health matters.

2. Participate in National Campaigns

Tobacco awareness campaigns, such as World No Tobacco Day (May 31) or the UAE government’s various anti-smoking initiatives, are ideal moments to spotlight your company’s commitment to employee well-being. 

These occasions provide an opportunity for companies to:

• Host awareness sessions or webinars

• Share success stories of employees who have quit

• Distribute educational materials on the health benefits of cessation

Creating internal momentum around these campaigns can foster community and accountability among staff looking to quit.

3. Integrate Wellness Programmes and Tobacco-Free Policies

Clear, compassionate workplace policies can help normalize quitting tobacco. Employers can introduce:

• Tobacco-free workplace policies that include shisha and vaping and the creation of support groups

• Incentives for employees who complete cessation programmes

In parallel, broader wellness initiatives like fitness challenges, mental health workshops and nutrition guidance can reinforce a holistic approach to healthy living.

4. Offer Tele-health Support with Services Like Tru Doc

For many, the convenience of remote support is key. Tele-health platforms like Tru Doc offer accessible, confidential consultations with doctors, therapists, and cessation specialists. This is especially helpful for employees balancing busy schedules or those who prefer private support.

With Tru Doc, employees can:

• Receive personalized quitting plans

• Schedule follow-up care

• Access medication guidance

• Track their progress remotely

Offering a tele-health solution reflects a forward-thinking approach that meets employees where they are, both literally and emotionally.

The Role of Corporate Health Insurance

Supporting tobacco cessation also makes good business sense and your corporate health insurance provider can play a critical role.

Gulf Care strives to create packages that go beyond treatment and focus on prevention. With custom health insurance and group health insurance plans, employers can:

• Ensure coverage for smoking cessation therapies (e.g., patches, medication, counselling)

• Offer regular health screenings to detect tobacco-related conditions early

• Provide mental health services for stress or anxiety that may trigger tobacco use

• Include incentives such as wellness credits for smoke-free living

Whether you're a large enterprise or a growing business looking for health insurance packages for small businesses, the right plan can enhance employee retention, improve morale and lower long-term medical expenses.

Tailored Solutions for Every Workforce

Every company is different and so is every employee’s journey to quitting tobacco. That’s why Gulf Care offers flexible, scalable options. From tailored medical insurance for employees in Dubai to online health insurance, our solutions are built for convenience, inclusivity, and long-term results.

Whether you’re leading an SME or overseeing thousands of employees across the GCC, our offerings help you deliver the best health insurance in the UAE, not just in name, but in impact.

Let’s Build a Healthier Workplace—Together

At Gulf Care, we believe employers have the power to shape healthier futures. By investing in group health insurance and thoughtful wellness strategies like EAPs, tele-health tools such as Tru Doc, and comprehensive health insurance for employees in the UAE - you can be a catalyst for meaningful, lasting change.

Your support could be the final push toward an employee finally taking the first step on their journey to quitting tobacco and that, replicated across a workforce, really would be something to celebrate.

Ready to support your team’s journey to better health? 

Explore Gulf Care’s full suite of corporate health insurance, Employee Assistance Programmes, and tele-health tools to create a culture of well-being and help empower your employees in their attempts to stop using tobacco products. 

Contact us today to learn more.