What the New Study Says About Badass E‑Cigarettes vs Cash Rewards
In a recent paper rolled out by a team from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, researchers dug deep into the world of workplace smoking‑cure programs. Their findings suggest that hand‑out free give‑aways or even slick vape devices scream less effective than a classic “lose‑money” incentive.
How the Study Was Set Up
- Employees from 54 major U.S. companies totaled 6,006 smokers.
- Six distinct intervention groups were crafted, ranging from bare information to full‑blown incentive packages.
- Participants were tracked for a full six months and then eye‑popping 12‑month follow‑up was recorded on a half of those who stayed smoke‑free.
Breakdown of the Key Groups
- Group 1 – “Just the Word of Mouth”
Only a pamphlet and a text service designed to remind you you’re on the right track.
Outcome: ~0.7% of workers managed a six‑month quit. - Group 2 – “Nicotine Support”
Free patches, lozenges, gum and even FDA‑approved drugs were handed out.
Outcome: 2.9% stayed off tobacco in six months. - Group 3 – “Vaper’s Delight”
The same nicotine fixes, plus free e‑cigarettes where the employee could pick the flavor they fancied.
Outcome: 4.8% achieved a six‑month break. The bump over the nicotine aid alone, however, was a statistical no‑no. - Group 4 – “Cash‑for‑Quit”
Free cessation aids plus a cash ladder: $100 first month, $200 at month 3, then $300 after a full six months of success.
Outcome: 9.5% persisted without the nicotine drag. - Group 5 – “High Stakes”
Everything in the previous group, plus a $600 stash that evaporated if the participant didn’t stay smoke‑free for six months.
Outcome: 12.7% were the real champs.
Why Bunch of Scientists Feared the Blame‑Buster Drifts
Dr. Scott Halpern, the lead author, talked with the press and made a clear statement: “These e‑cigarettes do not help smokers quit no better than traditional therapy or just talking.” He also noted the age‑old psychological truth: “It feels far stronger to lose $100 than to gain it.” Which is why the high‑stakes scheme outshines the others.
The Bottom Line on Cost & Efficiency
- Average cost per successful quitter: $3,461 for the cash‑antioxidant approach.
- Pay‑out programs leaned higher: $3,623 for regular cash cycles, $5,416 for free e‑cigs, $7,798 for just nicotine aids.
- “Employers who stake $800–$1,000 on a firmer quit program save a sweet $3,000–$6,000 per year per employee who remains off-smoker,” Dr. Halpern explained.
One Year: The True Proof
While the six‑month data was solid, a look at the 12‑month mark told a story of its own: about half of those who had stopped smoking after six months remained vapor‑free a year later.
Bottom line: If your company is looking to keep employees healthy and your wallet happy, “lose‑cash” incentives win the day. Do you want to free‑hand e‑cigs or give the employee more medical instruments? The numbers back a more delicious strategy: money on the line.
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