Great American Smokeout encourages smokers to kick the habit

For more than 30 years, the American Cancer Society has encouraged smokers across the nation to smoke less or stop smoking on the third Thursday of November as part of the Great American Smokeout.

The student health education program will educate the University community about the significant health risks associated with smoking and offer support to those who would like to stop smoking from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15 in the Miley Hall lobby.

Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S., yet about 43.8 million Americans still smoke cigarettes – nearly one in every five adults. As of 2010, there were also 13.2 million cigar smokers in the U.S., and 2.2 million who smoke tobacco in pipes.

Salve Regina continues to reward employees participating in the University’s health care plans who do not use tobacco products. Prior to the annual benefits enrollment period each year, employees who complete a voluntary “tobacco free” affidavit documenting that they are and have been tobacco free for at least four months receive a lower health care cost equal to 20 percent of the current full-time payroll deduction of the individual plan.

In addition, the University assists employees wishing to quit using tobacco products by reimbursing them up to $50 per month for up to three months for the use of approved smoking cessation products, prescriptions or programs.