Health Insurance Daily

States, Businesses Snuff Out Smoking

Lighting up isn't as easy as it used to be.

Colorado, New Jersey, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico passed a public smoking bans this year. More than a dozen states have banned smoking in most public places and government buildings in recent years, and many cities and counties in other states have followed suit. In addition, some cities in states where a smoking ban already exists have passed their own, more restrictive laws.

At the same time, the number of private employers cracking down on smoking continues to mount. In fact, 36% of employers offer a smoking cessation program, while 20% prohibit smoking at the worksite and 7% charge smokers higher medical premiums, according to the Society for Human Resource Management.

"The number of employers engaging directly is growing by leaps and bounds," says Sean Bell, vice president of product management at Free & Clear, which provides tobacco cessation programs.

To read this article in its entirety click on Employee Benefit News • August 2006.

posted by Mike @ 3:04 PM