Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111889

Kate E. Uslan, MPH, Tobacco Control, Mecklenburg County Health Department, 249 Billingsley Road, Charlotte, NC 28211, 704-336-4660, kate.uslan@carolinashealthcare.org

Businesses across the country are working to create incentives to encourage their employees to quit smoking. Some companies refuse to hire smokers while others are starting to fire them. As health care costs continue to rise and it becomes clear that the costs of smoking are too much to bear, organizations are looking for creative solutions to encourage healthy lifestyle decisions.

This study looks at one county's attempt to curb smoking in its ranks; by raising their health insurance premiums. The goal of this research is to see if using this type of employer-sponsored financial incentive is an effective tool for cessation and health care cost containment.

This study will examine the decision making process that the county went through in raising the insurance premiums. What were the obstacles in policy formation and how were they overcome? How was the policy implemented and how can it be improved? And have employees been motivated to quit for the lower premiums?

The decision to raise premiums was made in June 2004. Smokers had until October to graduate from a smoking cessation program. The rate increase went into effect in January. A six-month follow-up mail survey will be conducted in March. We will assess the individual's stage of change before policy introduction, assess attitudes about the policy change, look to see if other contributing factors played a major role in helping them decide to quit other than the financial incentive, and then see how many of them are still quit at six months.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Discuss the rationale for employer-driven incentives for cessation.
• 2. Assess the policy implemented by one county to discourage smoking by employees
• 3. Apply the lessons learned in one county to other organizations looking at similar policy changes.

Keywords: Tobacco Policy,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.