Definition - What does smoking cessation programs mean?
Smoking cessation programs are programs designed to help individuals who smoke cigarettes and other tobacco-based products to stop. Smokers may have both a physical and psychological addiction to smoking and require support to overcome their dependency.
In some instances, a smoker may have to try to quit smoking several times before they are able to break their habit. Initial studies indicate that the support of a health care professional during the cessation process may double a smoker's chance of success.
A smoking cessation program will usually include one or more forms of intervention such as behavioral counseling, access to ongoing support, nicotine replacement therapy, and other methods that help ease the smokers' physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms.
A smoking cessation program may sometimes be referred to as a tobacco cessation program.
SureHire explains smoking cessation programs
The use of tobacco products, and in particular tobacco smoking, has been identified as one of the leading causes of death around the world. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that exposure to cigarette smoke affects every organ in the smoker's body and cigarette smoking is responsible for nearly 20% of all U.S. deaths annually. Smoking is also linked to 90% of all lung cancer deaths and 80% of all deaths caused by COPD. Smoking also increases the smoker's risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including chronic conditions and strokes.
Illness and disease attributable to the use of tobacco products also contribute to reduced worker well-being and increased health care costs for employers. As a result, smoking cessation programs are often included as part of a workplace's wellness initiatives. The exact nature of each cessation program will vary, but most will begin with identifying those who are in need of intervention and encouraging them to stop smoking.
