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Leading By Example: Bedfont® Encourages Employee Well-being for World Well-being Week 2024

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World Well-being Week is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of well-being in various aspects of life, including physical, mental, and emotional health. This year it takes place from June 24th to June 30th.

According to a recent study in 2023, personal well-being has declined, with the COVID-19 pandemic having a significant impact. Average ratings of well-being in the UK have declined across all measures between March 2022 and March 2023, with 57.41% of adults reporting high levels of anxiety and 46.6% reporting low levels of happiness1.

During World Well-being Week, companies are encouraged to support their employee’s well-being through various activities and resources. Workplace stress and burnout can significantly impact employee productivity and job satisfaction. Reports have shown that companies prioritising well-being have happier and more engaged employees, increasing workplace productivity and reducing employee absences.

Bedfont® have their very own team of Well-being Warriors, ensuring employees can take part in activities designed to reduce stress and enhance the workplace environment. Bedfont® is fully committed to well-being in the office and strives to promote and maintain the mental health and well-being of all employees, proving this by being presented with the Platinum Business Award by Kent County Council in April 2023, the highest award possible for promoting a positive work environment, and a health work/life balance.

In 2023, Bedfont® also opened their very own well-being garden, in memory of 2 well loved members of staff. The vision behind the garden is to give staff a special space to be able to enjoy, collect their thoughts, and de-stress.

Earlier this year, the Bedfont® Well-being Warriors were in full force for Stress Awareness Month, which occurs annually in April. The Warriors organised a week of stress-busting activities for staff, which included a virtual coffee morning, a stress-busting activity – Pictionary, a Wednesday walk, a Bedfont® bar with a music Kahoot quiz, and a healthy lunch. Employees were encouraged to join the activities and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

With personal well-being declining, it’s important, now more than ever, to ensure everything is being done to improve employee well-being. Here are some examples of how Bedfont® has been working to improve morale and well-being:

Well-being Gifts: Sending well-being packages or gifts to employees, such as stress balls, herbal teas, or wellness journals, to encourage them to take time for self-care.

Team Building Activities: Organising team-building activities that promote collaboration and social-well-being. These could be anything from group problem-solving challenges to fun games or social events.

Relaxation Spaces: Establishing relaxation zones in the workplace where employees can take short breaks to de-stress. These could include comfortable seating, ambient music, and access to mindfulness or meditation apps.

Healthy Eating Day: Promoting nutrition by hosting a healthy eating day. This could involve a workshop on nutritional information, providing healthy meals or snacks, or even organising a cooking demonstration focusing on healthy recipes.

Follow us on social media to keep up with all the news and information on what Bedfont® is doing to improve employee well-being.

  1. Personal well-being in the UK: April 2022 to March 2023. [Cited on 8/5/24] Available from https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing/bulletins/measuringnationalwellbeing/april2022tomarch2023#:~:text=Adults%20with%20%E2%80%9Cvery%20bad%E2%80%9D%20self,and%203.8%25%2C%20respectively

Unlocking Better Breathing: Asthma Awareness for Love Your Lungs Week 2024

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Love Your Lungs Week is a national awareness event which occurs annually in June, taking place from 21st June to 27th June 2024. Initiated by the British Lung Foundation, now known as Asthma and Lung UK, the event focuses on enhancing lung health and looks to raise awareness of a variety of respiratory conditions that affect lung health. One of these conditions is asthma, which is a chronic condition where the airways become inflamed and narrowed, making breathing difficult.

Symptoms of asthma include:

  • Coughing
  • Wheezing
  • Chest tightness
  • Shortness of breath

What causes asthma?

It is thought that asthma is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors; when exposed to various irritants and substances, it can trigger asthma symptoms. There are 2 types of asthma; allergy-induced asthma and non-allergy induced asthma. Both types can have different triggers and these can vary from person to person.

Allergy-induced asthma is the most common form and can be triggered by inhaling allergens. This
can lead to an immune response in the airways which causes the symptoms of asthma. Common
allergens include:

  • Pollen: From trees, grass and weeds.
  • Dust Mites: Tiny creatures that thrive in household dust.
  • Pet Fur: Shed by cats, dogs and other furry pets.
  • Mould: Fungai that can grow indoors or outdoors in moist environments.

If these allergens are inhaled by someone with allergy-induced asthma, an allergic reaction can take place that causes the airways to swell, narrow and produce excess mucus.

Non-allergy induced asthma does not depend on an allergic reaction and is often triggered by factors not relating to allergies.

These can include:

  • Respiratory Infections: Such as the common cold or influenza.
  • Exercise: Especially in cold or dry air.
  • Stress and Emotions: Intense emotions can lead to hyperventilation and tightness in the chest.
  • Airborne Irritants: Such as smoke, chemical fumes, strong odours, or pollutants.

These triggers can cause the airways to swell and narrow but do not involve an allergic response. Instead, they may involve different inflammatory responses or hypersensitivity of the airways.

What impact does asthma have?

Asthma can have a significant impact on people’s lives, affecting their physical health, mental well- being and quality of life. The condition imposes lifestyle limitations, with sufferers often avoiding activities that might trigger symptoms, along with the economic burden from continuous medical care and loss of productivity due to absences from work or school.

Unfortunately, asthma-related emergency admissions remain high at over 35,000 in both adults and
children in the UK1, and with 1,261 people sadly passing away in 20201, it is clear more needs to be
done to avoid these numbers increasing.

What about FeNO testing?

Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) is found in exhaled breath and can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma. FeNO is naturally produced in the lungs through a complex biological process. The measurement of FeNO helps assess the level of inflammation in the lungs, aiding in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma. Using a FeNO device like the NObreath® is a quick and easy, non-invasive way to read a person’s FeNO level. FeNO testing is especially useful for managing asthma in patients who are known to have allergic triggers, as it specifically measures the type of inflammation most commonly associated with allergic asthma.

How does FeNO fit into asthma management?

  • Diagnosis: FeNO testing can help in diagnosing asthma in cases where typical diagnostic tests (like spirometry) might not be conclusive. Elevated FeNO levels can suggest eosinophilic inflammation, which is a common underlying cause in many asthma patients.
  • Monitoring: For ongoing asthma management, FeNO levels can provide insight into how well inflammation is being controlled through medication, particularly inhaled corticosteroids.
  • Monitoring FeNO can help in adjusting medications more precisely to reduce inflammation.
  • Predicting Exacerbations: High FeNO levels can indicate poorly controlled asthma and predict potential exacerbations. This can be particularly useful in managing patients who have periodic flare-ups, allowing for preventive adjustments in treatment.
  • Assessing Treatment Response: Regular FeNO testing can assess the effectiveness of current asthma treatment regimens. If FeNO levels remain high despite treatment, it might suggest the need for alternative therapies or more aggressive management.

With World Asthma Day just a little over a month ago now, this years theme “Asthma Education Empowers” aimed to highlight the importance of education in asthma diagnosis and treatment. It is clear that the innovative approaches to its management, including FeNO testing, have never been more essential.

Bedfont® Scientific Limited, are world leaders in breath analysis, with over 47 years of expertise and knowledge in designing and manufacturing breath analysis devices. They are committed to improving patient safety through innovating breath analysis devices, such as the NObreath®. The device is a portable handheld FeNO device, used by healthcare professionals to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma.

Bedfont® hosted an insightful webinar which looked in depth at how FeNO testing can empower and educate healthcare professionals alike. To read the Bedfont® blog article on this subject, and to watch the webinar, please click here.

1. Public health profiles. Office for Health Improvement & Disparities. [cited on 7/5/24] Available from
https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/search/asthma

To mark World No Tobacco Day 2024 “Protecting children from tobacco interference,” Bedfont® Scientific Limited hosted an informative discussion with experts Dr Amer Siddiq Amer Nordin and Associate Prof. Dr Anne Yee and external guest Professor Christopher Bullen

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World No Tobacco Day, established in 1987 by the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to raise global awareness about the tobacco epidemic and the preventable illnesses and deaths it causes. With the 2024 annual theme ”Protecting children from tobacco industry interference,” Bedfont® hosted a discussion with Smokerlyzer® Medical Advisory Board members, Dr Amer Siddiq Amer Nordin and Dr Anne Yee, along with insights from Professor Christopher Bullen from the University of Auckland.

Dr Amer Siddiq Amer Nordin

Dr Anne Yee

The discussion covered some fascinating points, looking at where the world is currently with the efforts to reduce tobacco use, and the challenges being faced along the way. The conversation looked closely at New Zealand and Malaysia.

What is happening in New Zealand?

In New Zealand, there has been a considerable effort in research and policy-making to reduce the number of young smokers; this has resulted in a drop in smoking in young people to below 5%, which is the lowest it has ever been. Whilst this statistic should be celebrated, the challenge now being faced is the considerable increase in the number of young people taking up vaping, with the majority of these people having never smoked.

Chris goes on to say that “we shouldn’t be complacent with these numbers; things can change very quickly, and we could well see a surge in the uptake of smoking again in the future.” Although New Zealand is on top of the situation currently, things need to be monitored very closely to avoid an increase in smokers.

In New Zealand, just like the UK, the government brought in legislation that anyone born after January 1st 2009 cannot legally buy tobacco products. However, Professor Bullen comments that a new government was appointed in March this year, who swiftly revoked that legislation.

What is happening in Malaysia?

Sadly, smoking remains a significant public health issue in Malaysia. However, the National Health & Morbidity Report did show a decline in cigarette use in 13-17 years-olds, dropping from 13.8% in 2017 to 6.2% in 2022. Showing a massive decrease in smoking in this age group is positive, yet, the same report did show an increase in e-cigarette and vape use in the same age group, increasing from 9.8% in 2017 to 14.9% in 2022. However, 10.8% of adolescent males were still smoking cigarettes in 2022 compared to 1.7% of adolescent females1; it seems that smoking is still a global issue.

Should we be concerned?

Tobacco companies are always looking for ways to increase smoking; if they are not successful, they are looking to push other products into the market, particularly in countries where the regulatory environment is weak. Dr Anne Yee comments that in Malaysia, vapes are being sold and positioned with snacks and sweets, making smoking and vaping seem more acceptable.

What is being done to reduce the number of people smoking?

In Malaysia, they introduced the Control of Tobacco Products Regulations under the Food Act of 1983 in 2004. These regulations included:

  • Advertising bans
  • Graphic health warnings
  • Restriction on sales to minors.

The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 has been published but is not yet operational in Malaysia, meaning sales of nicotine vapes are still available to minors. Dr Anne Yee fears Malaysia is falling behind in regulating vaping and innovative tobacco products and tobacco companies are seeing this as their way in.

Malaysia has implemented several measures to reduce smoking, such as:

  • Tak Nak, the anti-smoking campaign: The campaign was started to create awareness to encourage people to quit smoking and also discourage non-smokers from starting.
  • Introducing an anti-smoking program in the school curriculum: The program aims to educate and prevent young people from taking up smoking.
  • Quit Smoking Clinics: Set up across the country to offer counselling and nicotine replacement therapy.

Is branding an issue?

With some brands believed to be healthier than others branding is an issue. Like the UK, New Zealand introduced plain packaging and health warning labels on cigarette boxes, whereas Malaysia hasn’t been successful with this just yet.

What can we do to assist young people who want to quit smoking?

Unfortunately, there is not much evidence on which methods are best for adolescents to give up smoking, but in New Zealand, it has been suggested that text messaging has helped this age group. It is also thought that driving the price of tobacco up will discourage younger people to start smoking as they cannot afford it.

With everything discussed, it can be quite daunting when considering all the challenges faced in trying to reduce tobacco use. Nevertheless, we should celebrate how far the world has come in reducing smoking globally, and whilst vaping is rapidly increasing, smoking combustible tobacco is currently considered more dangerous. The world should continue efforts, hoping for a healthier population and a smoke-free future.

To watch the discussion in full visit our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watchv=NeWDIAb9JGM&t=15s


1. NHMS Survey: Among Malaysian Teens, Smoking Rate Falls But Vaping Prevalence Rises To 15%.
CodeBlue. May 2023. [cited on 30/05/24]

Available from:
https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2023/05/25/nhms-survey-among-malaysian-teens-smoking-rate-
falls-but-vaping-prevalence-rises-to-15pc/#:~:text=The%20NHMS%20survey%20shows%20that,per
%20cent%20of%20adolescent%20females.

: The campaign was started to create awareness toencourage people to quit smoking and also discourage non-smokers from starting. Introducing an anti-smoking program in the school curriculum: The program aims toeducate and prevent young people from taking up smoking. Quit Smoking Clinics: Set up across the country to offer counselling and nicotinereplacement therapy.

World No Tobacco Day 2024: How the Smokerlyzer® range can help.

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World No Tobacco Day was created in 1987 by the World Health Organization (WHO) to draw worldwide attention to the global tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes. Occurring annually, the day is marked by a different theme that aims to highlight a specific aspect of tobacco control.

What effect does tobacco use have on the world?

Killing over 8 million people a year, the tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced. This includes an estimated 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke1. Smoking has a profound impact on people’s health, affecting nearly every organ of the body and leading to a variety of diseases.

Tobacco use has a significant impact on healthcare costs and resources; some examples are:

  • Increased Healthcare Costs: Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of preventable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, lung disorders, and various forms of cancer. Treating these conditions incurs substantial costs to healthcare systems.
  • Resource Allocation: The high prevalence of tobacco-related health issues demands significant healthcare resources, including hospital beds, medications, and medica personnel. This allocation of resources can strain healthcare systems, especially in regions with limited medical infrastructure.
  • Impact on non-smokers: Tobacco use also impacts non-smokers through exposure to second-hand smoke, leading to health conditions like respiratory infections, heart disease, and lung cancer. This increases the number of patients seeking medical help for tobacco-related conditions who themselves do not use tobacco.

How can the Smokerlyzer® range can help?

Bedfont® Scientific Limited manufactures the Smokerlyzer® range of carbon monoxide (CO) devices, used to aid in smoking cessation. The Smokerlyzer® range comprises of the Micro+™, piCObaby™, piCO™, and remote monitoring device iCOquit®, to help people stop smoking, one breath at a time.

The Bedfont® Smokerlyzer® range of CO devices works by measuring CO levels in a person’s exhaled breath, which can be used to determine a person’s smoking status. For smokers trying to quit, this quick, easy and non-invasive method of CO monitoring can offer instant insights on their quit progress and the colourful traffic-light system has proven to be an effective motivational tool to encourage them to quit.

Smokers can also monitor their progress remotely at home using the iCOquit®. This small, portable Bluetooth® CO device, when used alongside the free iCOquit® app, can provide instant results that can be shared remotely with smoking cessation advisors. Thanks to this innovative technology, stop- smoking services are even more accessible than before, helping the world work towards a smoke- free future.

Micro+™: One CO device for all your smoking cessation needs.


piCObaby™: CO monitoring for maternity made easy.


piCO™: CO monitoring made easy.


iCOquit®: Your personal CO device, to help you quit smoking, one breath at
a time.

Using a CO device to assist with quitting strongly supports the improvement of end results. A study by Beard and West (2012), on the effectiveness of personal carbon monoxide monitoring, found that out of 10 smokers, “7 of the smokers reported that they felt as though the monitors had reduced their cigarette consumption… 6 smokers reported a lower nicotine dependency relative to baseline. Over the 6 weeks there appeared to be a significant decline in the number of cigarettes smoked per day2”.

With more people than ever before having access to no smoking services, the Smokerlyzer® can help people quit, significantly reducing the financial and resource burden on healthcare systems caused by smoking-related diseases. Furthermore, with a lower prevalence of smoking, there will be a reduction in exposure to second-hand smoke; ultimately, this will contribute to solidifying a smoke- free future.

It’s clear that the fight against tobacco use is not just about discouraging a harmful habit but about safeguarding the future of public health globally. Let’s use this day to commit to reducing tobacco consumption in all forms, empower individuals to lead healthier lives and continue the momentum towards a world where tobacco no longer overshadows health and well-being.

If you are thinking about quitting smoking or struggling with your attempt, please visit the NHS quit
smoking page by clicking here.

To find out more about how the Smokerlyzer® range can help aid in smoking cessation, please click
here.


1. World Health Organization. [cited on 2/5/24] Available from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tobacco

2. Pilot Study of the Use of Personal Carbon Monoxide Monitoring to Achieve Radical Smoking Reduction. Journal of Smoking Cessation. Emma Beard and Robert West (2012). [cited on 31/5/24] Available from https://web.archive.org/web/20180721211143id_/https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/0BAC2289E42E9C31C892D54BF7980237/S1834261212000011a.pdf/div-class-title-pilot-study-of-the-use-of-personal-carbon-monoxide-monitoring-to-achieve-radical-smoking-reduction-div.pdf

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