Employee Wellness Programs: Focus on smoking Cessation Programs

Benefits of smoking Cessation Programs

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

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

Places to start with smoking cessation initiatives:

1.    Create a employer policy prohibiting tobacco use anywhere on the property.
2.    Provide prompts/posters to support no tobacco use policy.
3.    Policy supporting participation in smoking cessation activities during duty time (flex-time).
4.    Provide counseling through an individual, group, or telephone counseling program onsite.
5.    Provide counseling through a healthcare plan sponsored individual, group, or telephone counseling program.
6.    Provide cessation medications through medical insurance.