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The
newly launched “Be A Quitter” project is designed to provide
small businesses with a tobacco cessation program for their
employees. The project provides businesses with the premium EX
program, which has been extensively tested and boasts one of the
most successful participant quit rates of any tobacco cessation
program.
“Our mission at Illinois Extension is to provide unbiased,
research-based solutions to the challenges faced by Illinois
residents, families, communities and businesses,” said project
director Allen Barton. “This project does exactly that.”
Upon enrollment, participating businesses get materials to
promote employee participation, with all remaining activities
managed by the project team and program developer.
“They get on-on-one coaching with tobacco team experts, they get
a personalized tailored quit plan delivered via phone, an app or
computer, and they get nicotine replacement therapy for eight
weeks,” Barton said.
The cost of employee participation is covered by a research
study affiliated with the project. As part of the study,
individuals complete five brief online surveys over the course
of 12 months during which they have access to the EX program.
In Illinois, the smoking rate is lower than it is nationwide. An
estimated 15.9% of the 18 and older population in Illinois are
smokers, the 22nd lowest smoking rate among states.
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