Types of programs to help employees quit smoking
Many different types of smoking cessation support are available in most communities. Some of the options for types of programs you can offer to help your employees quit smoking are described here. If your business doesn't employ enough smokers to warrant on-site cessation activities, you can connect your smoking employees with existing resources in your community. See the Need more help? section of this site for more information.
Self-help programs
Self-help programs are attractive to many smokers because they offer
both privacy and flexibility. Many available self-help materials (such as
booklets, videotapes, and quit kids) are appropriate for worksites.
Voluntary health agencies such as the American Cancer Society and the American
Lung Association offer excellent self-help materials. Visit the
Links page to find links to these and
other organizations which may provide you with the cessation resources you seek.
Good self-help materials should provide employees with the information they need to do the following:
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understand their smoking patterns |
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set quit dates |
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identify and resist smoking cues |
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explore alternatives to smoking |
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control weight gain |
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manage stress |
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prevent relapse to smoking |
Smoking cessation group programs
Although many smokers quit without formal assistance, some employees
need the guidance and support provided by structured programs. Members of
a group often support and counsel one another. Smoking cessation programs
can be contracted to outside providers, or employees can be given a list of
programs available in your community.
You should carefully screen providers before contracting for their services or referring employees. Below is a checklist for screening such services:
| How long has the organization been in existence? How long has it been providing smoking cessation programs? | ||||||||
| How many people have gone through the program? | ||||||||
| Will the approach be appropriate for the employees?
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| Have others been satisfied with the program?
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| What are the qualifications of the instructors? What training have they received? What is their cessation counseling experience? | ||||||||
| Are printed materials appropriate for the educational level of the employees? Are they attractive and motivational? | ||||||||
| Will the structure of the program accommodate the needs of the employees?
Can they:
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| Is the program provider willing to provide ongoing assistance and follow-up once the formal program ends? | ||||||||
| Does the program incorporate participants’ support systems? For example, peers and family members? | ||||||||
| Does the program offer any form of guarantee? For example, can employees repeat the program for free or at a lower cost? | ||||||||
| Can the program provider provide evidence of six-month and one-year success rates of previous clients? (A range of 20–40% is realistic.) Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. | ||||||||
| How much does the program cost per employee? Are group discounts available? |
Pharmacological aids
One important reason why it may be difficult for smokers to quit is nicotine
addiction. Some smokers find it helpful to use pharmacological aids such as
nicotine gum or the nicotine transdermal patch to help overcome their addiction.
Nicotine gum releases the nicotine into the mouth, and the nicotine patch is
applied directly to the skin, where it releases a continuous flow of nicotine
into the bloodstream. Other nicotine replacement systems are available as well,
including the Nicotrol
inhaler and nasal spray, as well as the Commit lozenge. See the
Pharmacological and over-the-counter
smoking cessation options page for more information.
Nicotine replacement has been found to significantly increase the chances of successful cessation for smokers. In the spring of 1996, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the nicotine gum to be marketed as an over-the-counter product, so smokers can now purchase it without a physician’s prescription. As of September 1996, the FDA approved two nicotine patches for over-the-counter sale.
In addition to nicotine replacement therapy, there is another pharmacological smoking cessation aid available called Zyban. Zyban is, in fact, another name for a popular antidepressant, Wellbutrin, which has been found to decrease smokers' desire to smoke/craving for cigarettes. After taking Zyban for several weeks, many smokers find that they have little desire to smoke cigarettes anymore.
Check your company’s health plan regarding coverage of Zyban and of nicotine replacement products. Often, if the products are not available through a health plan, employers provide nicotine replacement products directly as a self-funded benefit or will reimburse employees who use the products in an effort to quit smoking.
This page was last updated on May 28, 2003. Copyright © 2003 Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch, NC Department of Health and Human Services. All rights reserved. Click here for disclaimer.
