Smoking cessation strategy yields substantial ROI
Impacts of a smoking cessation benefit among employed populations. Halpern MT, Dirani R, Schmier JK. J Occup Environ Med. 2007. 49: 11-21.
Aim
To predict the health and economic benefits of providing a work-based smoking cessation program.
Looked at
A hypothetical group of 10,000 employees from across the US.
How?
A 20-year impact model was developed and used to project the costs and savings of a work-based smoking cessation strategy. Three smoking-related conditions were identified (coronary heart disease [CHD], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], and lung cancer).
Results
|
Industry and geographical US regions |
Number of prevented CHD cases per 10,000 |
Number of prevented COPD cases per 10,000 |
Number of prevented lung cancer cases per 10,000 |
Medical care cost savings at 20 years (US$) |
Workplace cost savings at 20 years ($) |
Combined total savings ($) |
|
Education and health services (West) |
27 |
23 |
2 |
1.1 million |
1.6 million |
2.7 million |
|
Business and professional services |
78 |
52 |
6 |
2.7 million |
4.7 million |
7.4 million |
|
Manufacturing (Midwest) |
84 |
51 |
7 |
2.7 million |
3.5 million |
6.2 million |
|
Wholesale and retail trades (South) |
94 |
61 |
7 |
2.9 million |
4.1 million |
7.0 million |
What does this mean?
Investing in a smoking cessation program for employees can yield return on investment at 20 years of $1.21-1.52 for every $1 invested.