Providing your employees with stop-smoking gum information will not only benefit their health, but also benefit 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 over 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.

It's estimated that employers lose nearly $10,000 per year for each smoker they employ. 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, such as stop-smoking gum, as motivation.

When providing stop-smoking gum information to an employee, mention the following statistics for added motivation:

1. Tobacco use is a leading cause of lung cancer, throat cancer, mouth cancer and heart disease.

2. One of every two lifetime smokers will die because of their habit, and often before middle age.

3. A non-smoker’s exposure to secondhand smoke increases his risk of heart disease by 25 to 30% and lung cancer by 20 to 30% -- so using quit-smoking gum can help more than an individual smoker.

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

Furnish employees with stop-smoking gum provider information

On average, it takes 12 weeks for the use of nicotine gum to curb the craving to smoke. Smokers chew a piece of the gum when they have a craving; the general result is that the gum slowly weans the smoker from his addiction to nicotine and the number of pieces of gum needed to get through the day gradually decreases.

I recommend: GumAuctions.com provides a thorough stop-smoking gum list, including various flavors and package sizes, at discounted prices. Find stop-smoking gum and lozenges at AmericaRx.com.

Explain the correct usage of quit smoking gum

When used correctly, stop smoking gum can be an effective cessation tool. The benefits of nicotine gum include quick satisfaction of cravings and the ability to keep your mouth busy, satisfying both the habit and addiction aspects of smoking. However, if an individual chews nicotine gum like regular gum, instead of keeping it stationary between the cheek and gums, it may cause nausea and hiccups. Additionally, the employee shouldn't chew more than one piece at a time or more frequently than one per hour to avoid nicotine overdose.

I recommend: Obtain further information regarding the proper usage, benefits and precautions associated with nicotine gum from Medline Plus and the American Lung Association.

Get support for employees in addition to stop-smoking gum

While you may be willing to get your employees started with stop smoking gum, 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 and a support system; do what you can to get friends and family members on board. 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 and the stop-smoking gum will help. But it's not an easy process to stop smoking: Be patient and have reasonable expectations of your employees.