Smoking cessation programs have positive impacts for both employers and workers

Did you know that your employees that smoke could be costing you $3,077 dollars per year in lost productivity due to excessive smoke breaks? Not to mention the increase in your benefit program premiums due to the ill health effects of cigarette smoking.
 
With the New Year upon us, consider helping employees commit to quitting in 2022 by sponsoring a workplace smoking cessation program. Not only will your workers enjoy the freedom and health of a smoke-free lifestyle, but employers will also reap the benefits including cheaper benefits premiums, increased productivity, and less lost time due to smoking-related illnesses.

Employers who invest in worker wellness are seeing returns

The Push for Wellness

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recovery and wellness efforts that have followed, many Canadian employers are starting to recognize the value of their human capital. As a result, there’s been an increased effort at improving employee wellness and greater interest in keeping workers physically healthy as well. The theory goes, “If we look after them, they’ll look after us.” It means that employers who invest in worker wellness are seeing returns in the form of:
 

• Increased loyalty
• Higher reports of job satisfaction
• Better rates of retention
• Increased productivity
• Reduced absenteeism
• Higher organizational commitment behaviours (going above and beyond job duties)

Smoking Cessation Programs

While there are several workplace wellness programs that employers can implement, smoking cessation programs have a positive ROI for both employers and workers. Workplace smoking cessation programs may have one or several of the following elements: 

Nicotine Replacement Therapy Coverage
Nicotine replacement tools such as patches, lozenges, and gums can all come at great expense to workers trying to kick the habit. They’re generally not covered by drug plans, but employers may choose to either reimburse employees for their purchase or provide a credit toward the purchase price.
 
Prescription Drug Allowances
Some people have had great success in their quitting journey using prescription drugs to alleviate the most unpleasant effects of nicotine withdrawal. Almost no benefit programs cover these, as they’re considered “lifestyle” drugs. But they’ve proven to increase the chances of success, and employers could either cover the cost or ask their benefits provider to add that coverage and pay the increased premium.
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​Individual Support (EAPs)
Consider adding an EAP to your benefits program if you don’t already have one. EAPs are a crucial part of an employee wellness program. They give workers, and usually their families, access to:

• Free short-term counselling
• Crisis counsellors
• Debt counsellors
• Legal advice
• Grief counselling
• Gambling and addiction support – including nicotine addition
• Marriage support

 
Helping workers deal with big life problems effectively can help them to avoid a relapse if they’re trying to quit smoking while managing other tough situations at home or work.

 Group Support
One way to support a smoking cessation program is to encourage participants to support each other through formal support sessions organized by the company, or as informal social supporters. Allowing support groups to meet during work time is an excellent way to encourage workers to use the program.
 
Incentives
Some workplaces have had great success incentivizing cessation programs. Incentives can be tricky, but certainly worth it if it helps employees quit smoking. Incentives can be cash prizes, time off, trips, or other prizes. There need to be perimeters as with any incentive, to ensure that employees stay committed to their new smoke-free lifestyle. 

Fitness Programs
When smokers quit, they start to feel better. Some may even develop new fitness regimes. Encourage the use of workplace fitness programs if you have them in place. Generally, those who quit are less likely to pick the habit back up if they’re enjoying their active new lifestyle. Workplace fitness programs could include:

• A subsidized credit that covers or contributes to a gym membership
• A corporate gym membership
• On-site fitness facilities
• Hiring instructors to deliver lunch-hour fitness sessions throughout the year
• Organizing a company sports team
• Encouraging office workers to stand up and take short walks throughout the day

Start your wellness training journey

Online fitness and wellness training is a convenient and cost-effective way to improve employee wellbeing

Invest in Workplace Wellness

There’s always a desire to see a positive ROI (Return on Investment) for business expenditures. When it comes to smoking cessation programs, the ROI can be measured by examining employee engagement, productivity, and general health improvements. Smoking cessation programs can vary, are totally customizable, and are well worth the effort!

Trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting

MidSouthWest Training and Consulting offers online Fitness and Wellness training. You can trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting to provide you with cost-effective training solutions tailored to meet your organization’s unique health and safety needs.

​To learn more, contact us online or call 289.309.1143. Visit us 24/7 on the web at midsouthwest.ca.

​Last updated November 22, 2021