Workplace Wellness Programs: Focus on tobacco use Cessation Programs

Benefits of tobacco use Cessation Programs 

Instances of respiratory diseases, cancer and other illnesses can be reduced through tobacco use cessation efforts. tobacco use cessation initiatives can provide huge opportunities for enhanced health. 

The American Cancer Society reports that tobacco use employees cost businesses an average of $1,429 per smoker per year in raised healthcare costs over non-tobacco use employees. Implementing a tobacco use cessation program costs an average of $45 per worker per year, saving businesses an average of $1,383 per year for each worker who quits tobacco use. Additionally, the American Cancer Society reports that smokers are absent from work 50 percent more frequently than nonsmokers. They are also 50 percent more likely to be hospitalized and have 15 percent higher disability rates. tobacco use decreases onthe- job productivity as well. Employees who take four 10- minute tobacco use breaks a day work more than a month less per year than workers who don’t take smoke breaks. 

Places to start with tobacco use cessation initiatives: 

1.    Start a business policy prohibiting tobacco use anywhere on the property.

2.    Offer prompts/posters to support no tobacco use policy.

3.    Policy supporting participation in tobacco use cessation activities during duty time (flex-time).

4.    Offer counseling through an individual, group, or telephone counseling program onsite.

5.    Offer counseling through a medical plan sponsored individual, group, or telephone counseling program.

6.    Offer cessation medications through health insurance.