Loading...Loading...March 26, 2024
Tobacco use may be costing your business more than you realize. Despite decades of declining popularity, tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. It caused more than $240 billion in direct health care spending, and nearly $372 billion in lost productivity for U.S. businesses in 2018.¹ Today, tobacco use among U.S. youth is at an all-time high, with 16.5% of high schoolers reporting current use—foretelling a major financial burden for employers in the future.
Statistics like these are the reason employers today are seeking solutions to help their employees stop using tobacco. The majority of tobacco users—71%—want to quit, but most need dedicated, personalized help to do it. That’s why, for self-funded employer groups renewing with Jan. 1, 2025, effective dates, we’re offering Pelago—a virtual tobacco cessation program dedicated to helping employees 18+ quit smoking, using smokeless tobacco and vaping. In doing so, they’ll be improving their own health while also saving employers thousands of dollars per employee, per year.
Pelago’s program is based on scientific research and supported by clinical studies. Plus, it’s personally tailored to each individual employee. It features dedicated one-on-one coaching from qualified tobacco-cessation coaches who guide employees through each step of their journey to tobacco recovery.
In addition, the program combines cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) delivered in brief audio sessions and interactive exercises that teach employees how to deal with cravings; nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT) gums and patches to manage cravings, if needed; digital tools to help employees track their progress; and an optional mobile-connected breath tester for reporting.
There’s no cost to employees who enroll, and they receive 12-month access with immediate use of the program’s digital resources. Within 96 hours of enrollment and acceptance, each enrolled employee receives a personalized onboarding call with a certified tobacco treatment specialist to start their tobacco-cessation journey. NRT products are included for all first-year participants. Employees have unlimited access to the program’s CBT content to help them stay motivated and curb cravings when they’re triggered.
After four weeks on Pelago’s program, 52% of participants in a 2022 study quit smoking altogether, and 48% of non-quitters reported smoking fewer cigarettes. While other tobacco cessation programs may offer some similar therapies, only Pelago combines dedicated one-on-one coaching with digital CBT, NRT and digital tools to produce exceptional quit rates. Not only does Pelago start employees on the journey toward improved health, it can put employers on the path to significant health care savings.
Pelago is available to self-funded groups beginning April 1, 2024, for Jan. 1, 2025, effective dates. Questions? Please contact your account representative.
SOURCE: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Smoking and Health
Pelago is a separate company that provides tobacco cessation/addiction services.