Oregonians save $400 million in medical costs every time we reduce the Oregon smoking rate by 1 percent.[1] The smoking rates have already come down more than 6 percentage points from 1996 to 2009.[2] But our smoking rates are still higher than our neighboring states,[3] adding to the cost of health care in Oregon. The state has a unique opportunity to leverage the new state requirement to cover smoking cessation into reduced smoking and lower health care costs by making covered benefits more effective. More effective benefits yield better results.

Why an Oregon standard of care?
The science for helping people quit has advanced but not all health care benefits are aligned with what is known to be effective. Having a common set of recommendations and encouraging all health insurers and purchasers of health insurance to use them can:

  • Establish a community standard that helps both doctors and patients know what treatment will be covered regardless of insurance plan.
  • Increase benefit effectiveness. Smokers receiving effective treatment are two to three times more likely to quit.[4]
  • Yield an average savings of $1,900 from the cost of cigarettes per year for tobacco users who quit and save hundreds or thousands of dollars on potential medical care costs.[5]
  • Reduce days of work missed due to illness.[6]
  • Lead to healthier, smoke free communities.

See the “$400 Million Solution” for more information and to use to advocate for an Oregon standard.

 

[1] Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. State harms & costs from each one percentage point increase in state smoking. June 15, 2010.

[2] Tobacco Prevention and Education Program. Oregon Tobacco Facts & Laws. Portland,Oregon: Oregon Department of Human Services, Oregon Public Health Division, 2010.

[3] Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation (STATE) System. State Comparison Report.

[4] Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guideline: Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence 2008 Update.

[5] One year savings calculated using the Online Savings Calculator at www.smokefree.gov/savings-future.aspx

[6] Fitch K, Iwasaki K, Pyneson B. 2006 Milliman, Inc. Covering Smoking Cessation as a Health Benefit: A Case for Employers. American Legacy Foundation.