With nearly 41,000 people dying from secondhand smoke exposure nationwide annually, many nonsmokers are negatively affected by smoking, as well. Currently, the smoking rate in Chicago is at a historic low with 17.7 percent of adults reporting smoking in 2013 compared to 22.6 percent in 2011. Working toward ultimately eliminating tobacco use is a prime component of the mission of the American Lung Association.

The costs of smoking are astounding:

On average, employers can save $5,800 per year for every employee that quits smoking.

Illinois residents’ state and federal tax burden from smoking-caused government expenditures is $909 per household.

Direct medical expenses and lost productivity resulting from premature death for people with smoking-related diseases cost $157 billion per year or $3,856 per smoker per year nationwide.

To calculate this cost for a Chicago business, the following formula can be used to provide an estimate: (# employees) x (0.177) x ($3,856/year) = cost per year (.177 is the smoking rate in Chicago.)

Tobacco use is one of the most difficult addictions to overcome. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 70 percent of current smokers want to quit, but just six percent are successful. Research shows that those looking to quit are three times as likely to succeed with the help of counseling and some form of nicotine replacement therapy. The American Lung Association’s highly effective, online, over the phone and in person smoking cessation program is used by employers, hospitals, health plans and other organizations to help the individuals they serve become smoke-free for life: