Quittin’ Time: Helping Employees Become Tobacco-free June 2005

2 Facts Smoking reduces life span by an average of years. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States and is responsible for one in every five American deaths. Tobacco kills more Americans each year than alcohol, cocaine, crack, heroin, homicide, suicide, car accidents, fire and AIDS combined. More than 50 diseases have been linked to smoking including cancers, heart disease and lung disease. Each year, primarily because of exposure to secondhand smoke, an estimated 3,000 nonsmoking Americans die of lung cancer, and more than 35,000 die of heart disease.

3 Business Impact The total excess costs to employers per smoker per year are an average of $5,606, broken down as follows: –smoking breaks: $1,882 –mortality-related lost productivity: $1,760 –excess medical expenditures: $1,623 –missed work days due to sickness: $341 Although there is evidence that smoking cessation programs can reduce costs and improve health, only 24% of employers cover tobacco-use treatment. Companies that provide smoking cessation programs have a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

4 Nicotine Addiction Nicotine is the drug in tobacco that causes addiction. Nicotine is as addictive as heroin or cocaine. Each year only about three to five percent of smokers quit for a year, for longer or for good.

5 Benefits of Quitting People who stop smoking before age 35 avoid 90% of the health risks attributable to tobacco. Even those who quit at age 65 can add years to their life. People who quit smoking before age 50 have half the risk of dying in the next 15 years compared with continuing smokers. Quitting smoking decreases the risk of lung cancer, other cancers, heart attack, stroke and chronic lung disease. Women who stop smoking before pregnancy or during the first three to four months of pregnancy reduce their risk of serious complications.

6 Opportunity More than 70% of current smokers report that they want to quit smoking.

7 Opportunity for Employers “There are few preventive health interventions that are more cost-effective than tobacco cessation.” -- Warner, K., et. al. cited in Business & Health, Vol. 15, #8, Supplement A, Medical Economics

8 Elements of Successful Cessation Programs Supportive counseling – emphasizing problem solving, behavior change and social support Nicotine replacement and medication – affordable, easy to obtain Communication – inform employees of available resources Incentives – may be provided in terms of reduced premium differentials, cash to a flexible spending account, even small rewards or recognition for quitting tobacco use

9 Elements of Successful Programs (cont.) Integrated approach – integrate disease management and wellness programs, company policies, health plans and other workplace programs with available supportive counseling No stigmatization of smokers – support employees in their efforts to become tobacco-free Ability to access interventions repeatedly – repeated interventions are often necessary; policies and programs should support this process A variety of resources – provide resources for individuals who are in various stages of readiness to quit

10 Prevention Goals Influence tobacco users who have no desire to quit so that they consider the benefits of quitting Provide support and assistance to those tobacco users who want to quit Support former tobacco users in their efforts to remain tobacco-free

11 Strategy Enlist support of senior leadership to ensure visibility and attention Establish multi-functional workgroup Design program Craft and implement policy Assemble support for tobacco cessation Review employee benefits Communicate and promote prevention through a series of materials, in print and/or online

12 Why Partner With the EAP? prevention focus assessment and referral capabilities education focus training capabilities The ValueOptions EAP is uniquely positioned to partner in the implementation of tobacco cessation programs because of its:

13 Service Options Offered by ValueOptions Standard EAP: Evaluation and screening, short-term brief counseling and motivational coaching, information and education, telephonic support, referral to public/community resources, follow-up Enhanced services: Telephone-based sessions with tobacco treatment specialists; Quit Kit of materials; access to nicotine-replacement products or medications

14 Possible Measurements of Program Success Number of people recruited or actively participating in the tobacco cessation initiative Six-month and one-year quit rates Absenteeism rates Productivity Health costs

15 Expected Results Decreased health care costs associated with tobacco use Increased referral rate to the EAP Enhanced productivity Reduced absenteeism due to tobacco-related illness Improved employee perception of employer commitment Benefits of program exceed costs within two years of implementation

16 Next Steps Obtain approval to proceed with evaluating options Form multifunctional workgroup to study benefits, policies, supportive programming Establish timetable for reporting recommendations to senior management Obtain final approval to implement recommended plan Implement plan

17 Sources American Cancer Society American Journal of Public Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Free & Clear, Inc. National Business Group on Health National Cancer Institute The New York State Smokers’ Quitsite