Wellness Programs - Use of tobacco Cessation.

Medical research has long shown quitting use of tobacco at any age can improve a person’s health.

But a Duke Univ. shows that the group you could think would be the least likely to quit - individuals  over the age of 50 -  may actually have the best odds for quitting through a smoking cessation program.

Researchers tracked 573 older patients over 10 years. They found that just 16% of those who joined the smoking cessation program later returned to smoking.  Meanwhile, previous research has found young smokers who try to quit have a 35% to 45% relapse rate within two years.

Bottom line -   Given the aging employee population and the cost of retiree healthcare, you may want to keep trying with smoking cessation education for your older staff members.