For Businesses
Every tobacco-using employee is estimated to cost its employer $6,112 in excess costs per year. 1
How can my business participate?
We’ve made business participation as simple and straightforward as possible – just fill out our Business Enrollment Form.
Once we receive your completed form, a member of our project team will email you to: (a) confirm your participation and (b) provide instructions and materials for distributing to your employees.
From there, all you need to do is share this information with your employees.
All businesses headquartered in Illinois are currently eligible to participate.
Want more information? Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about the project.
What is the goal of this project?
To allow your business to provide its employees a leading tobacco cessation program at no cost to your business (or your employees).
What type of businesses can participate?
Businesses must be headquartered in Illinois . Self-employed and sole proprietorship businesses are also eligible.
What is the tobacco cessation program?
The tobacco cessation program being implemented is the premium version of the EX program. This program is a leading digital tobacco cessation program that leverages a proven treatment model from Mayo Clinic with scientific leadership in digital tobacco solutions from Truth Initiative. The premium version of the program includes:
- Personalized quit plan with interactive exercises, educational videos, and emails
- Live chat coaching with tobacco treatment experts
- Access to the longest-running, largest community of current and former tobacco users
- Tailor text messaging to help you quit and stay tobacco-free
- Nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges delivered to your home
This flyer contains a brief summary of key features the EX Program. Additional program information is available at the EX Program website.
What does the program cost me as an employer?
There are no costs for participating businesses. The costs of the program ($200/participant) are paid for by the research aspect of the project .
Are there any contracts or long-term commitments?
No. Your business can begin or end participation at any point. Your participation is voluntary and optional.
Is there any time or effort required by my business?
Just letting your employees know about the opportunity to enroll this program! All program activities are managed by members of the project team and the EX program.
How do my employees sign-up?
Once a Business Enrollment Form is submitted by a representative of your business, we will send you information that can be distributed to your employees. All program materials will direct employees to a project-specific enrollment page to access the program.
What does participation involve for my employee?
Employees who enroll in this project will get access to the premium version of the EX program for one year. More information on the EX program is outlined in a previous question (see above) as well as this website.
As part of the research study affiliated with this project, participating individuals will also be asked to complete a consent form and five online surveys over the course of a year (one survey every three months). These online surveys, which are completely confidential and take less than 15 minutes to complete, will provide researchers with information about employee’s general well-being over time. Completion of these surveys is important in order for the project to be able to pay for the costs of the program.
Is this program an approved tobacco cessation program?
Yes. For employers that charge tobacco-using employees a higher rate for insurance (i.e., a tobacco surcharge), the EX Program meets all requirements of a reasonable alternative standard. This type of reasonable alternative is required for employers that charge a tobacco surcharge.
What information do I get as a business?
When an employee from your business enrolls, we will contact you to verify current employment. At the end of each project year, we will also be able to provide collaborating businesses an summary report of the overall project.
What happens after an individual’s year of program access?
As part of the Be A Quitter project, enrolled employees will have access to the EX program for one year. If an employee desires to have access to the EX program for more than one year, we will follow-up with employers on an individual-by-individual basis regarding options for continued program access.
Additional questions?
1 Berman M, Crane R, Seiber E, Munur M. Estimating the cost of a smoking employee. Tob Control. 2014 Sep;23(5):428-33.