The figures come from the London School of Economics (LSE) and calculations show north east workers cost £31.9m in smoking breaks at work and £38.3m in absences due to illness.

Fresh Smoke Free North East is now urging businesses and employers to make use of the free support from the NHS to help reduce their costs and achieve a healthier and less stressed workforce.

Anne Beattie, specialist adviser for Newcastle and North Tyneside NHS Stop Smoking Service, hosts four workplace groups.

She said: "The partnership approach between employer, employee and the stop smoking service works really well.

"Helping smokers in the workplace is very effective and it shows from the high percentage of quitters."

Andrew Sugden, director of membership and policy for the North East Chamber of Commerce, said: "A healthy workforce is critical for business success.

"Having support available for businesses to help staff who want to quit will be a positive step in cutting the impact of smoking in the region."

For more information employers can call 0800 731 6418. Trained NHS stop smoking advisers can offer free group or one-to-one stop smoking sessions within a company workplace, or at convenient sites in the local community and they can also train a company's HR or occupational health team to deliver stop smoking advice.