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Updated 9/09/11
Tobacco and Tobacco Cessation
Why Employers Care
According to the World Health Organization, tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in the world. Its use is one of the main risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including cancer, lung diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. Despite this, it is common around the globe. A number of countries have legislation restricting tobacco advertising, and regulating who can buy and use tobacco products, and where people can smoke.1
Large employers are extremely interested in eliminating tobacco use among employees in large part because its relationship to ill health and reduced productivity has been well documented. Tobacco cessation is commonly offered as a part of company sponsored health and wellness programs.
What Employers Can Do
Employers often use a health risk appraisal to determine risk factors that are relevant for the employee population. Determine the extent to which your employees are at risk. Additional action steps include:
- Select health plans that cover effective tobacco cessation treatment, including coverage for a variety of treatments.
- Offer quit line services to employees.
- Remove barriers such as co-payments, fees, and other deterrents that may inhibit employees from using benefits for treatment.
- Conduct ongoing communication with employees about the benefits of quitting and help that is available.
- Understand the environmental influences on tobacco use and address them with culturally sensitive approaches.
GHBI and Select Business Group Resources
- Roadmap to a Global Tobacco-Free Company (Draft) – September 8, 2011
This presentation outlines the process, critical decision points and pertinent stakeholders for companies to go tobacco free globally. *Please send any comments and/or questions (global@businessgrouphealth.org) you may have about this resource. The Business Group anticipates these materials will evolve with employer feedback.
- Global Tobacco Policies (Excel) – September 8, 2011
This excel spreadsheet presents country-level policies and regulations that may be pertinent to corporate tobacco cessation efforts. Information is included for ten target countries on a wide range of issues (national/local legislation, available smoking bans, availability of NRT, etc.). Employers are encouraged to send (global@businessgrouphealth.org) updated information about their in-country tobacco cessation experiences and initiatives for future inclusion.
- Tobacco: The Business of Quitting – July 22, 2011
This website has comprehensive information on tobacco, health, and tobacco cessation. It includes employer case studies, health plan benefits and cessation program designing, and business case. The website has global content and multinational employer case studies.
- American Cancer Society Global Tools, Resources, and Initiatives – February 19, 2009
American Cancer Society presented its international initiatives and engagement opportunities with multinational employers. This presentation includes links to several of its resources and tools.
Other Resources
American Cancer Society Resources
Other Tobacco and Tobacco Cessation Resources
1 WHO. Tobacco Free Initiative. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2007
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