Implementing a year-long, worksite-based incentive program for smoking cessation

Abstract

Background: There have been few reports of the process of implementing ongoing worksite health promotion programs. This article describes the implementation of a year-long smoking cessation program in nine worksites employing a total of approximately 700 smokers.

Methods: Issues discussed include: forming a partnership with organizations, design of the multicomponent incentive intervention, program promotion, maintaining participation, and the need to modify program components over time.

Results: The program produced high participation rates (29% of smokers joined the program) and moderate cessation rates among participants (during the last half of the program, monthly cessation rates averaged 20%). There was marked variability across worksites on both participation and cessation, and qualitative features of organizations associated with outcome are discussed.

Discussion: The importance of working with employee steering committees to tailor health promotion programs to fit the organization is discussed. The article concludes with recommendations for implementation of similar programs.