Positive ways to get your employees to quit smoking

Companies like Sysco, Inc., have found a positive way to get their employees to quit smoking. Since 2006, they have started offering their employees an extra $25 a year if they remain smoke-free and remain this way for at least 6 months. To encourage this new non-smoking environment, the company gave their employees 1 year to sign-up for the program and start making steps toward living a smoke-free lifestyle. There is also an additional bonus if the employees remain smoke-free for a year or longer.

Programs like this are effective, even though the award is small. Several researchers have concluded that people are motivated by cash compensation, even in small amounts like $25. Wellness programs can be found at small and large companies. The wellness programs are focused on encouraging employees to live a healthier lifestyle. This can come from quitting smoking, losing weight, or starting an exercise program.

To help your employees quit smoking, you need to educate them on the dangers of smoking. You can do this by handing out packets to them that talk about the health complications they will experience if they smoke. The packet should also contain information about how smoking impacts people around them like their co-workers and how it is detrimental to their health. Sysco, Inc., even provides nicotine patches to their employees that are enrolled in the smoking-cessation program. This small investment will go a long way to create a smoke-free office and create a healthier lifestyle for all your employees.

One of the driving reasons behind smoking-cessation programs is to lower medical costs. Employers are automatically placed in a high-risk pool if they have employees that smoke. This is because smokers are more susceptible to sickness, cancer, lung disease, high blood pressure, and other health complications. These individuals frequent the doctor more than their non-smoking co-workers.

Employers also need to shell out more money in sick leave and lost production costs when they have employees that smoke. Smokers are likely to take twice the amount of sick leave as their non-smoking co-workers and they are more susceptible to illness.

Following Sysco, Inc.'s program, companies can find a positive way to help their employees quit smoking. Create support groups for your staff so they have someone to talk to and support them on their journey. Giving up smoking is not an easy process and it will be even harder if you don't have a strong support system behind you.

Make time in the week for your employees to exercise. A lot of people start smoking to help them deal with the stress they are under at work. If you can give your employees an extra 15-20 minutes a day for exercise, they will be able to reduce their stress and spend some time building up their lung strength. Everyone should get at least 30 minutes of physical exercise each day. Walking for 30 minutes will increase your lifespan by 5 hours. Think of how much longer you will live if you actually spend some time on your physical body.

Deep breathing exercises are a great way to get through the craving to smoke. Hand out pamphlets that teach your employees how to practice deep breathing. You may even consider offering a yoga class 2-3 times during the week to help your employees practice breathing and to get a good workout in. Yoga is great for the entire body because it stretches and strengthens the muscles and it helps to calm the nervous system. It is also great for the mind because it allows you to escape the daily pressure and stress you may be under.