Light Up and Pay More for Health Insurance in Hall County

By Alison Gonzalez

Published on November 09, 2007

County commissioners reviewed a proposal Thursday that would increase the cost of health insurance for smokers by $30 a month beginning January 1. In addition, those who decide to stop smoking will be given incentives and a reimbursement on the insurance surcharge.

The initiative marks a move toward better health for county workers, according to human resources director Charley Nix. An estimated 20 percent of the county's workforce and their dependents use tobacco products. Nix hopes the proposal will help employees and their families make healthier lifestyle choices.

Commissioners hope the proposal will also increase on-the-job productivity and cut back on the amount of money companies pay to keep tobacco users insured. According to the American Cancer Society, U.S. companies pay approximately $167 billion each year in health care expenses and productivity losses for employee tobacco use.

Other statistics show that smokers are absent three days more than nonsmokers, and lost production time is 75 percent higher for smokers versus nonsmokers.

However, when an individual quits smoking, their risk for heart disease, lung cancer, heart attacks, and death decreases significantly.

The smoking cessation plan includes a counseling and prescription drug program to help smokers quit for good.

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