A 50 percent reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease. A 40 percent drop in the risk of cancer and type 2 diabetes. A 35 percent lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis and COPD. These are among the many health benefits tobacco cessation has to offer.
Regardless of age, duration, or intensity of use, quitting tobacco comes with substantial health benefits that can dramatically lower the risk of disease and all-cause mortality. It is widely considered by experts to be one of the most important steps a person can take to protect their health and their finances, as tobacco-related illnesses carry an annual global cost of $1.9 trillion USD.
The Catch
While this is encouraging news for current users and their insurers, there is an important caveat to note: although the health benefits of cessation begin within minutes, the most significant gains require sustained abstinence. For instance, that 50 percent drop in cardiovascular disease risk typically occurs one year after quitting, while similar reductions in cancer risk may take up to a decade to appear.
With fewer than 8 percent of annual quit attempts resulting in success, greater support is needed to realize these outcomes. For insurers, the incentive to invest in support is clear, as higher quit rates translate to meaningful cost savings—particularly by reducing claims involving hospitalizations or surgeries, which are oftentimes driven by tobacco-related conditions.
The Solution
With Workplace Options’ Global Tobacco Cessation solution, insurers can provide members with the support they need to successfully change their behaviors. Through the help of certified coaches trained in behavioral change and evidence-based cessation strategies, participants receive the personalized care and ongoing guidance they need to set realistic goals and achieve long-term health improvements.
When quit attempts are aided by experienced professionals, the impact on success rates is substantial: 48 percent of participants achieve lasting cessation—a six-fold increase compared to those who attempt to quit without support. In addition, 84 percent of participants report improved wellbeing, while 82 percent express greater confidence in managing their health.
As Crystal Ake, Director of Global Coaching Services at WPO, explains, “Quitting tobacco takes more than motivation. It requires addressing both the behavioral and psychological drivers of addiction through psychoeducation and research-backed strategies that allow individuals to replace harmful behaviors with healthier habits.”
In moments of withdrawal or exposure to everyday triggers, she adds, this kind of structured support is especially critical: “It can be difficult at first to identify and unlearn all the cues that trigger addictive behaviors,” Ake explains. “Often, it’s only once a person tries to quit that they realize the full extent of tobacco’s influence over their lives.”
“With each day that passes, individuals gain deeper insight into what led them to start smoking—and more importantly, the reasons they have for quitting,” she continues. “Our role is to support them through these vulnerable moments and help transform challenges into opportunities for growth.”
A Proven Return on Investment: What the Numbers Show
Extensive research underscores the value of this approach. According to the American Lung Association, insurers that invest in brief cessation interventions can see a return of up to three dollars for every dollar spent. Meanwhile, members who participate in these programs may reduce their healthcare costs by roughly 10 percent—reinforcing tobacco cessation as one of the “most cost-effective preventive services” available to insurers.
Furthermore, it’s important to note that the benefits of these services extend well beyond cessation. Effective programs will often serve as a catalyst for broader lifestyle changes that further reduce risk and enhance overall wellbeing. For instance, within just weeks of quitting, circulation improves and lung function increases—making it easier to exercise, control blood sugar, and maintain a healthy weight. With the ability to stay active comes the ability to better manage stress and regulate emotions—all of which form the basis of a healthier, lower-risk life.
Choosing the Right Provider: Why Invest in WPO
As our client success stories consistently demonstrate, the support our coaches provide plays an instrumental role in helping individuals build confidence, develop healthy coping strategies, and steadily work toward their goals, equipping them with the skills they need to maintain momentum in the face of setbacks.
As one participant shared, “When I first enrolled in coaching, I feared not being able to quit. I didn’t realize cessation could be gradual rather than stopping all at once. My coach helped me create a plan to slowly wean off smoking, and that made all the difference. With her support, I went from smoking every day to only smoking in social settings.”
“I honestly don’t think I could have quit without the help of the program,” another member reflected. “I had tried numerous times before, but always without success. My coach helped me identify patterns that were holding me back—like keeping my vape on my desk at work. Together, we developed strategies to help me manage underlying triggers, such as leaving my vape in another room and preparing healthy snacks to help satisfy my cravings. Thanks to his support, I’m more self-aware and have a better understanding of the steps I need to take to avoid reverting back to old habits.”
A Smarter Approach to Cost Containment as Empathy Becomes a Baseline Expectation
As insurers look for ways to manage rising healthcare costs—particularly as an alternative to simply passing them back on to members—tobacco cessation emerges as a high-impact solution. It allows policyholders to avoid the strain of rising premiums and restrictions, while helping insurers support wellbeing without relying on costly interventions.
By investing in policyholders’ potential for better health, moreover—instead of preemptively increasing costs in anticipation of future risk—insurers reinforce their role as both a clinical and financial safeguard, driving stronger retention, loyalty, and overall client satisfaction.
Get started today on a winning strategy that unites cost efficiency with your member experience. Connect with us today to discover how tobacco cessation can deliver better health outcomes at lower cost for insurers.
