University of Pennsylvania researchers published the results of a smoking cessation study in this week’s New England Journal Of Medicine which showed that people who were given financial incentives to quit smoking were more successful. One group (442 workers) received information about smoking cessation, while a second group (436 workers) got the same information, in addition to financial incentives comprising of $100 if they completed the program, $250 dollars if they quit within 6 months of enrolling in the study, and $400 dollars if they abstained from smoking for an additional 6 months. Not only did the incentive group show greater rates of enrollment, after 18 months of quitting more ex-smokers from the incentive group remained smoke-free.
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Tags: financial incentive, New England Journal Of Medicine, quitting, smoker, smoking, smoking cessation
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Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
February 13th, 2009 at 2:59 am
Mom Blogs – Blogs for Moms…
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February 13th, 2009 at 9:20 am
IF THEIR HEALTH IS NOT INCENTIVE ENOUGH THEN FEW HUNDRED $$ [ FROM WHO? ] WILL NOT BE A LASTING SOLUTION – BETTER WOULD BE A BIG INCREASE IN CIG COSTS – WHICH WOULD ALSO REIMBURSE THE HEALTH SYSTEM FOR THEIR COSTLY LACK OF SENSE.
February 14th, 2009 at 2:45 am
Hey gf – YOU are part of the problem. As opposed to increasing the costs of cigarettes, would it not make *more* sense to force the “health care system” to shell out a few more dollars for preventative care instead of treating the disease? For your information, not *everyone* who smokes dies from some form of cancer. In addition to this – there is absolutely NO proof that “second hand smoke” causes health problems. <— Don’t believe me? Do some research on the subject. And please, try using a few brain cells before posting again.
February 14th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Since smokers come from all walks of life and are both rich and poor; smoking somehow feeds into a great emotional need. Money for some may work, but they can just save money spent on cigarrettes instead. Since many people do not do that. The emotional variable in order to quit must be greater than the perceived need to smoke.
Taxing cigarrettes and using that money for preventive health care and education at elementary school levels is needed. Also, instead of money, give those that quit smoking free medical care and regular testing for smoking.
February 14th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
hey folks, as a smoker & medical professional — i agree totally with the person above (sick of W.) the goal of all responsible health care systems is prevention — not treatment. it would be both responsible and right to offer $ money incentives get smokers to quit!! however, i know as most of you — the healthcare system makes TONS from smoking related illnesses. i would LOVE to beleive they would promote prevention/quitting more than making money. i think money for quitting smoking is a great idea!! pass it on!!!
February 15th, 2009 at 12:02 am
MONEY if you QUIT!! call *** for info *** great idea!!
February 15th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
As a smoker who quit for 20 yrs and then started back again 6 yrs ago (see idiot in dictionary) would wonder about the financial situations of the people in the study. I just don’t seem to have the strength of character to quite this time. I do think, however, that a large sum of money (very large) would do the trick.