Helping the Poor Quit Smoking

In Massachusetts, smoking among low-income residents has fallen 26%, thanks to a state-funded program that pays for smoking cessation treatment. It's a funny coincidence that I came across this article this morning; just last night at the convenience store I noticed that a pack of cigarettes is about $7.50.  That is almost as much as the hourly minimum wage ($8).  That's a very hefty expense on such modest wages. Poor Americans

“...are truly the individuals who are harmed the most by tobacco in America today,’’ said Dr. Michael Fiore, director of the University of Wisconsin-Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention. “The proportion of family income that Medicaid recipients have to devote to purchasing this drug they’re addicted to, tobacco, is higher than for virtually any other group in our society.’’

Low-income Americans have higher smoking rates in general; one of the reasons is the expense of quitting. So funding smoking cessation for poorer Americans who want to quit is a very equitable policy. When the state decided to run the program, which provides both treatment and counseling and uses intensive promotion to recruit participants, they expected 5-10% participation of eligible residents (those who receive state-subsidized health insurance). Instead, 40% have enrolled.

With such successful enrollment and cessation rates, the program has earned national attention, and advocates are encouraging Congress to require cessation coverage in healthcare reform. There are clear, long-term, societal benefits for everyone, not just the poor: their lower admissions to the E/R for asthma and other related health problems is just one widespread cost saving that results. According to Valerie Bassett of the Massachusetts Public Health Association, "...when we’re looking at cost savings, it’s one of the easiest ones to realize.’’

(Photo by matze_ott)