Wellness Programs – Smoking 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 might think would be the least likely to quit – individuals  over the age of 50 –  might actually have the best odds for quitting through a tobacco use cessation program.

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

Bottom line –   Given the aging worker population and the cost of retiree health care, you might want to keep trying with smoking cessation education for your older staff members.