Smoking Cessation
Smoking cessation assistance is a worthwhile wellness activity. Smoking is usually a challenging habit to overcome. Company health promotion activities to support “smoke-free” living include –
• Use American Lung Association resource. These include the Freedom From Use of tobacco group and/or video-tutorial. There is also a follow-up video “A Lifetime of Freedom From Use of tobacco”.
• Reward individuals who have successfully quit smoking for six months with an appropriate “kicked the habit” certificate and some kind of incentive gift.
• Offer “cold turkey” sandwiches to smokers who pledge to quit during the Excellent American Smokeout.
• Begin a “quitting or thinking about it” support group to assist and encourage person trying to stop tobacco use.
Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Addictions
When a substance abuse policy isn’t in place in your workplace, advocate that one be developed. Request a knowledgeable Health Promotion Committee member be included in the policy development process.
If such a policy is already in place be sure Wellness Committee members are aware of the policy and have a thorough understanding of it. From time to time, remind personnel of wellness resources and programs available.
• Invite AA, NA, AI-Anon, and other groups to meet in a business building and/or publicize community meetings.
• Serve non-alcoholic drinks whenever alcohol is served, and make certain food is always served along with alcoholic beverages.
• Give easily accessible information about counseling, referral, and treatment programs available in the community. Put this information in an area where it could be viewed without embarrassment.
• When conducting wellness programs include information about responsible alcohol use on stress/weight management, nutrition, physical fitness, use of tobacco, and accident prevention.
• Issues like co-dependence and the difficulty of assisting a substance abuser can also be addressed. Offer this information as part of the health promotion program by providing informational materials, brown bag sessions, employee assistance program (EAP) information, etc.
• The Employee Assistance Program provider is an great resource for substance abuse health promotion programming and or employee assistance.
• Other addictions, such as problem gambling, food addiction, shopping, Internet addiction, etc., may be problematic and can reach the point of affecting a person’s life and work. Offer information, video review, or staff member assistance sessions addressing these topics.
• A Wellness Committee member may gain personal information regarding an worker problem. Don’t forget to keep all worker information totally confidential.
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