SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Chatham County employee James Putney is on his way to becoming smoke-free after 40 years of lighting up.
After attending three of four smoking cessation classes, he is down from 20 to two cigarettes a day, Putney said.
The county's plan to start charging employees who smoke an extra $20 per paycheck for health insurance also helped his fight.
"It's a great incentive to get people to quit," Putney said, "especially with the way the economy is."
Putney's success so far is something county officials are hoping to emulate with their push to get employees to kick the habit.
Of the county's 139 admitted smokers, 115 signed up for the four free sessions. The remaining 24 will pay the fee.
"We've got some positive feedback," said Human Resources Director Michael Kaigler. "This is the push they needed to seriously consider stop smoking."
Commissioners approved the smoking initiatives in January as part of a wellness program after the county's health insurance budget increased from $10.4 million in 2003 to $18.4 million last year.
A change was needed to curb that increasing cost and improve employee health, said Commissioner Harris Odell, who has taken a lead role in instituting the wellness program. The smoking charge will allow the county to recover some of the increased costs smokers put on the county, Odell said.
"Some will be angry," Odell said. "I'd rather have them angry, but live longer."
Odell knows what it's like to quit. He ended his 20-year habit four years ago - about the same time he started focusing on cutting the county's health costs.
"I had to do what I preached," he said. "What I preached was smoking is bad for you."
Chatham County is one of the latest groups to adopt the relatively new practice of charging smokers more on their premiums and it's too soon to say how effective the practice is, said Kylene Hartsfield, mission delivery manager for the Savannah branch of the American Cancer Society.
The American Cancer Society provided free training and materials to county employees so they could conduct the cessation classes. Typically, about 60 percent of the class graduates quit smoking by the end of the program, Hartsfield said. The sessions involve smokers talking about why they smoke, describing their difficulties quitting and encouraging them to set quit dates.
After making unsuccessful attempts in the past, Putney said the group environment the classes provide has made it easier to quit.
"You get to listen to other folks' stories and encourage each other," he said. "I think that helps a lot."
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Nanny state. None of the employer's business!
it is the employers business when they pay the employees health costs. if you want insurance & also want to destroy your health you must pay the extra dollar. power to the employer, if you don't like it start your own business with your own rules
why not LOWER the premium of those that take excellent care of their health and never use their insurance. why should i subsidize the bad choices of others? just more "can't someone else do it?" from lazy americans.
Tax the lard butts who shovel in fast food also if your taxing smokers. One overweight person is more of a drain on health care than a smoker.
I like treerock's idea. At least offer a rebate to those with minimal or no claims. And I agree with wgs725. The non-smoking insured get penalized by having to pay higher premiums brought on by the smokers. I know it's a free country, but I don't understand why people smoke knowing full well the health risks of using tobacco.
I think it's discrimination when certain folks have to pay more because of habits. My employer does the same thing AND forbids smoking on the premises. This is just too wrong.
I agree with mrlonglegs. Smokers and people that are a certain amount overweight should have to pay a higher premium and give the people that take care of themselves a discount.
I say tax the lard butts, those who use perfume and hair spray, Those who eat out at restaurants where the food isn't cooked properly, Those that drive cars that are way overpowered, Yhose that ride bicycles in traffic, Motorcycle drivers and riders, Overweight doctors and nurses, People who use day care and bring diseases into the work place, People who have dogs or cats and alergys, Heck I'vr got it,,,,, tax everyone who does anything different than what I do. In conclusion, the county didn't say how much the insurance company lowered their policy for workers. I wonder if a reduction was made at all?
Don't tax you / Don't tax me / Tax that fellow / Behind the tree.
.......I was laying in hospital going on two weeks...it was the National election time....Geroge Bush was elected President...I got so mad my cigarettes tasted so bad that I quit smoking! That was about 13 years ago..haven't touched any type of tobacco since that day+++
DISSMAN you took the words right out of my mouth...and I don't smoke! That stuff women wear when out to dinner will really make a person sick! If we put up a sign to please everyone all would go crazy>>>no smoking no perfume....noi this and no that...what does it all lead to.
When I read the headline, I thought they were talking about people quitting their JOBS over the smoking fee!