Ken Wassum, Senior Product Manager, Tobacco:   The slight increase in smoking prevalence detected by the National Health Interview Survey is cause for concern but probably not alarm. The upward trend was small (less than 1%) but it should definitely give us pause. Smoking prevalence has reduced over the years due to a number of factors. The increasing cost of smoking from excise taxes and price increases, as well as smoke-free indoor air restrictions, have both led to reductions in smok... [More]

Krista Gilbert, Quit Coach, Service Delivery:   It can be easy to get overwhelmed by the tobacco problem. Tobacco is still the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Every day I talk to people suffering from emphysema or heart disease and tobacco is largely to blame. I talk to people whose budgets are drained by the price of their habit and whose families are begging them to quit. Tobacco takes its toll. But then I take a step back and look at the BIG picture. I think of w... [More]

John Seidler, Professional Relations Director:   During the current recession, organizations are looking for cost savings wherever they can find them. There is particular pressure on employers’ benefits managers to try to reduce those ever increasing health care costs. There has never been a better time to contain cost increases by implementing a program like Free & Clear’s Quit For Life® Program. Free & Clear happens to be in the right place at the right time. Our customer base a... [More]

Ken Wassum, Senior Product Manager:   Neglecting that “red-headed stepchild” has historically proved itself as unwise. Tobacco dependence treatment, often referred to as "cessation," is just such a red-headed stepchild. Simon Chapman, PhD, from the School of Public Health in Sydney, Australia, is attending the World Conference on Tobacco or Health in Mumbai, India, as are nearly 3,000 others who work in Tobacco Control. Consistent with his history of taking controversial stands, h... [More]

Erin Thompson, Marketing Manager:   For over 35 years, Paychex has helped millions of business owners with payroll, human resources and benefit outsourcing solutions and is recognized as a top national provider for these services. Part of their ongoing success can be attributed to the investment they make in the health of their employees. Implementing a comprehensive tobacco cessation program has played a major part in their robust wellness initiative. In Free & Clear’s latest Cle... [More]

Etta Short, MSPH, Director of Learning and Development:   Recently I overheard two recent graduates of the Free & Clear New Hire Program talking about their training experience. One new Quit Coach said, "I've never taken a position where the training has been as thorough. I had excellent preparation on all counseling skills." The second Quit Coach seconded the praise, highlighting the training team: "The first-hand information from the trainers was especially helpful." I was glad ... [More]

Heidi Gray, Quit Coach, Service Delivery:   Helping smokers quit may be the best thing that doctors can do for their patients’ health given the prevalence of tobacco-use-related deaths. Despite this, many doctors and health care professionals are uncomfortable helping their patients quit smoking. In my job as a Quit Coach, I hear many times a day that doctors recommend quitting, but very rarely do I hear accounts of personal guidance or assistance from health care professionals. A... [More]

Erin Thompson, Marketing Manager:   Last week the National Business Group on Health (NBGH) held a teleconference to announce the launch of their new tobacco website for employers, which coincided with the Great American Smokeout. The NBGH hopes this site, which walks employers through the different stages of implementing a smoke-free initiative, will be the definitive resource for employers on tobacco cessation. Dr. Fred Williams, Director of Health Benefits Management at Qu... [More]

Gillian Schauer, Program Manager, Tobacco Cessation Resource Center:   A recent U.S. study in Health News reported that many health care providers are not receiving adequate training in tobacco intervention, stating that 87% to 93% of doctors and other health care providers receive less than five hours of training. The results of this recent study are not surprising to the Tobacco Cessation Resource Center (TCRC). As noted by other researchers, providers are increasingly pressed f... [More]

Allegra Wiborg, Quit Coach, Service Delivery:   Occasionally participants in our tobacco cessation program will tell me they don’t want to use the patch or nicotine gum to quit tobacco. Some have pretty strong feelings about it, too: “If I’m quitting nicotine—why would I want to add it to my body?! No thanks.” I can see where these participants are coming from. Isn’t that like pouring gasoline on the fire? I too was confused about how nicotine replacement therapy worked until I be... [More]