Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness

AUSTIN – As Texans prepare their 2008 resolutions, a new survey of Texas smokers shows seven in 10 smokers have tried to beat their addiction and a majority say access to FDA-approved treatments would make them more likely to quit, according to a survey released today by the Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness (TCWW) .

“The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to urge family, friends, co-workers and employees to stop smoking,” said Marianne Fazen, TCWW leader and president/CEO of the Texas Business Group on Health. “But on January 1, what more can we do to help people beat this deadly addiction? Our survey shows strong support for giving smokers access to FDA-approved treatment options. It’s a change that can give smokers more tools to quit and one that will improve employee health, increase productivity and reduce health care costs.”

Results from the survey show that six out of 10 employed Texas smokers said that they would be more likely to quit if they had access to the full array of smoking cessation benefits. In addition, nearly eight out of 10 smokers (77 percent) surveyed believe all health insurers should cover FDA-approved smoking cessation treatment (including counseling) as part of a standard health insurance benefit package. Another 56 percent agree that the state should provide incentives, such as tax breaks, for employers who make smoking cessation benefits available to their employees.

More than six in 10 (63 percent) Texans who have private health insurance said they do not have benefits to help cover the costs of over-the-counter smoking cessation products or benefits to cover the costs of smoking cessation counseling. In addition, over half (54 percent) do not have access to benefits to help cover the costs of prescription smoking cessation medications.

The lack of smoking cessation coverage in Texas reinforces findings from a recent nationwide survey to employers conducted in October by the National Business Group on Health (NBGH). The NBGH survey revealed that while nearly all (96 percent) employers polled believe that providing a smoking cessation benefit package as outlined by the national Centers for Disease Control would be beneficial, only two percent of employers actually offer comprehensive benefits.

“We hope the New Year will motivate Texas smokers to take that first step to a smoke-free, healthy lifestyle,” Fazen said. “At the same time, we also hope these survey findings will encourage employers to add smoking cessation benefits to their insurance plans, as we know this ultimately will improve the health of their workers and the financial health of their businesses.”

Dr. Henry Lucid, a member of the American Heart Association's State Advocacy Committee, added, “Smoke-free policies and cigarette taxes have been successful in reducing smoking rates which in turn have reduced heart attack and cardiovascular disease rates. It is critical that we add to these efforts by promoting access to cessation programs, and we applaud the Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness in their effort to heighten awareness of the need for smoking cessation healthcare coverage.”

“This survey is viewed as an incredibly vital step toward helping people assess their readiness to quit so they can start to tackle their addiction,” said Laura R. Chapman, Senior Program Director Central Region, American Lung Association of Central States. “It underscores the work behind the mission of the American Lung Association of the Central States – to prevent lung disease and promote lung health.”

“By now, we all know the benefits of overcoming this addiction, but we also know that quitting is a difficult journey,” Chapman continued. “We are happy to stand with the TCWW and release this information today. Greater access to smoking cessation benefits – including counseling and treatment -- should give smokers a greater chance to beat this deadly addiction.”

Survey Methodology The survey of 500 Texas smokers and recent non-smokers was conducted between Oct. 29 and Nov. 5, 2007 by Texas-based Baselice and Associates. The survey has a margin of error of + 4.5 percent and was conducted on behalf of the Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness. All non-smokers surveyed quit within the past year. #### About Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness: The Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness is a program of the Texas Business Group on Health (TBGH), one of the state’s leading voices on health care and business issues. TCWW strives to improve Texans’ health, prevent costly disease and lower health care costs. TCWW believes a healthier Texas workforce produces a stronger, fiscally healthier Texas in the global marketplace. We are committed to increasing the number of Texas businesses that incorporate employee wellness into their corporate business strategies. For more information visit www.txworksitewellness.org. About the American Heart Association: The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to reducing disability and death from diseases of the heart and stroke. These diseases, America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers, and all other cardiovascular diseases claim over 870,000 lives a year. Last year the association invested over $543 million in research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives. To learn more, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org. About the American Lung Association: The American Lung Association® is the oldest voluntary health organization in the United States, with a National Office and constituent and affiliate associations around the country. Founded in 1904 to fight tuberculosis, the American Lung Association® today fights lung disease in all its forms, with special emphasis on asthma, tobacco control and environmental health. The American Lung Association® is funded by contributions from the public, along with gifts and grants from corporations, foundations and government agencies. The American Lung Association® achieves its many successes through the work of thousands of committed volunteers and staff.