One day before the start of the Great American Smoke Out, Cigna Corp. announced today a ban on tobacco use at all of its 179 facilities, including ones in Bloomfield, beginning April 1.
The ban extends to Cigna-sponsored events and while conducting business on Cigna’s behalf.
Ed Hanway, Cigna chairman and CEO, said the Philadelphia-based health insurer has spent several years moving to a smokeless environment.
“Our goals,” he said, “were to improve employee health and productivity and to reduce medical costs through behavioral change. As one of the nation’s leading health service companies, and a large employer, we have the chance to model and lead these changes. A tobacco-free environment embraces that culture of health.”
Cigna employees will have access to many of the same tobacco-cessation support programs offered to the insurers’ corporate clients. These include: Onsite tobacco-cessation programs and one-on-one coaching; full coverage of tobacco-cessation prescription drugs; and support mechanisms for smokers with colleagues who are former or non-smokers,
In addition, Cigna employees currently get a discount of $16 per pay period on their health coverage if they and their covered dependents do not smoke.
Tomorrow is the smokeless day designated each November by the American Cancer Society for millions to try quitting tobacco.
