More than 70 percent of current U.S. smokers say they want to quit, but it’s a tough challenge. Only 5 – 10 percent are successful on any given attempt, according to the American Cancer Society. If you’re a smoker, a new Ameren benefit could double your chance of quitting successfully.
Ameren employees and their family members who participate in the Options medical plan now have coverage for prescription smoking cessation medications.
The plan—both Three-tier and Coinsurance—will pay up to $500 in a calendar year for each covered family member. You pay only your regular prescription co-pays or co-insurance.
Research has shown that quit-smoking medications, such as bupropion (Zyban®), varenicline (Chantix®), or over-the-counter nicotine substitutes, like patch, gum, lozenges, and sprays, make a real difference—people who use them are twice as successful at quitting.
As states and cities ban smoking in public places, like Illinois recently did, smoking becomes more and more of a hassle. If you’re ready to kick the habit …
The American Cancer Society recommends the following approach to quitting smoking:
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When you quit smoking, your health improves right away
20 minutes after quitting: Your heart rate and blood pressure drops.
12 hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
2 weeks to 3 months after quitting: Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
1 to 9 months after quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.
1 year after quitting: The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.
5 years after quitting: Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5 to 15 years after quitting.
10 years after quitting: The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker’s. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decrease.
15 years after quitting: The risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker’s.
Source: American Cancer Society
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Quit-smoking medications can help you deal with cravings and withdrawal. If you’re in the Options medical plan, talk with your doctor to see if the covered prescription medications might be right for you.
To learn more about how to quit successfully, go to the American Cancer Society Web site and type “Guide to Quitting Smoking” in the Search window. Also, telephone counselors are available in Illinois (866.QUIT.YES) and Missouri (800.QUIT.NOW) to help smokers who want to quit or who are in the process of quitting.
Only the smoker can make the decision to quit. But when that decision is made, support and appropriate medications can help break the habit for good.
As published in the March-April 2008 edition of Ameren Journal.
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