Implementing a stop smoking program for your employees not only benefits their health, but also benefits the financial well-being of your business. The Centers for Disease Control indicate that smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., taking more than 440,000 lives each year. One out of every four individuals smoke, which means that one out of every four of your employees smoke or live with someone who does.

Studies show that individuals are more likely to quit smoking and avoid relapse when organizations and employers set guidelines and goals and provide some form of compensation as motivation. It's estimated that employers lose nearly $10,000 per year for each smoking individual they employ.

When weighing the possibility of implementing a stop smoking program for your employees, consider the following:

1. Employers pay an estimated 7 percent more in health care costs for employees that don't stop smoking.

2. Turnover rates and sick days are considerably higher for smoking employees than for non-smokers.

3. Employees who take multiple smoke breaks a day will likely work several fewer hours a month than employees who don't need smoke breaks.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Show employees the health benefits if they stop smoking

The first step to getting your employees to quit smoking is to show them the health benefits, both for themselves and for others. Point out that tobacco contributes to many cancers and that one in every two lifetime smokers will die from the habit, often by middle age. Additionally, the exposure of non-smokers to secondhand smoke increases their risk of heart disease by 25 to 30 percent and lung cancer by 20 to 30 percent.

I recommend: Direct employees to the secondhand smoke fact sheet provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Visit the American Cancer Society for some sobering statistics on the effects that smoking has on the body. The Foundation for Smoke Free America lists stop smoking tips that may help your employees get started.

Implement a stop smoking program for your employees

There are a number of organizations that provide programs for individuals to help them quit smoking. Some organizations have made it mandatory, giving employees a certain amount of time to stop smoking or risk losing their jobs. While this may not be a strategy for every employer, you should at least provide incentives to motivate your employees to quit. Some possible incentives include a pay raise or small bonus (such as earning an extra vacation day) for every three months they remain smoke free. While such incentives have some cost involved, it's a minor cost compared to what your company loses while that employee lights up.

I recommend: SmokeFreeSociety.org has a cessation program specifically designed for business owners. If you’re unable to implement a program within your organization, direct employees to cessation programs such as the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking Online. Provide your employees with a list of stop smoking products, found on MayoClinic.com, and help them determine which would work best for their individual lifestyles.

Get employees the added support they need to quit smoking

While you may be willing to get your employees started, you won't be able to do all the work for them. Motivation through incentives and cessation programs are helpful, but the most important element is encouragement. Do what you can to get friends and family members on board with whatever program you implement. The stronger the support system your employees have, the better the chance that they will succeed.

I recommend: Smokefree.gov provides expert support and stop smoking advice from counselors through email, telephone or online chat. Newsletters, stop smoking information and interactive support resources are available on QuitSmokingSupport.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Remember that smokers have a physical addiction to nicotine. It's not an easy process to stop smoking; be patient and have reasonable expectations of your employees.