Cigarette Smoke is a Public Health Problem

With over 440,000 tobacco-related death, each year, smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disability in the United States, yet one out of every four American adults is a smoker.

The costs to employers for tobacco-related medical treatment, early death and disability, lost work time, and decreased productivity are staggering.

Benefits of Quitting

• CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health reports that even heavy, long-term smokers can realize health benefits from quitting.
• Employers save money when smokers quit smoking. The American Lung Association conservatively estimates that an employee who smokes costs the employer $1,000 per year vs. a comparable level non-smoking employee.

FOH Smoking Cessation Programs

FOH smoking cessation program has helped hundreds of federal employees quit tobacco. The most popular FOH Smoking Cessation Program (the NRT program) includes:

• A smoking history and evaluation during a personal intake/counseling interview
• Participants are guided in generating a personalized, written quit plan
• A four week supply of nicotine patches or nicotine gum are provided
• Participants may return to their health center to receive follow-up counseling, support, and problem-solving assistance.

Key FOH Smoking Cessation Program Advantages:

• Simple to initiate and administer
• Appeals to all demographic groups
• Available anywhere in USA
• Great cost/benefit ratio. The NRT program costs only $140 per person
• Designed from the ground up for the government workplace
• Emphasis on increased utilization of EAP services, which is very important since many smokers need assistance with substance abuse or mental health problems in order to sustain a long-term quit.

LEARN MORE!

Read the Surgeon General’s 2006 Report on Smoking Click here to view questions and answers about FOH’s Smoking Cessation programs      Other suggested Internet resources: Click here for an online guide to quitting and contact information to experts that can help Click here for information on controlling your weight while you quit smoking Click here to learn the reasons that you smoke and the best way to quit