Beginning July 1, Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ University will become smoke-free and tobacco-free, in accordance with university policy 5-21. The new policy aligns with the university’s healthy campus initiative, Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ of Wellness.
While most people know the health benefits gained from quitting smoking, they may be unaware of the significant financial benefits.
According to a USA Today article, smoking costs the average smoker at least $1.1 million over the course of a life. In Ohio, that number is closer to $1.4 million. This number comes from adding the cost of purchasing one pack a day for 51 years, plus healthcare costs, income loss and other expenses.
The average cost of a pack of cigarettes in the U.S. is $6.36, according to the American Cancer Society, and smoking a pack a day adds up to $44.52 a week. Quitting smoking can save individuals more than $2,000 annually, and up to 40 percent on life insurance and 30 percent on health insurance.
Nationally, between 2000 and 2012, Americans spent $133 billion in healthcare related to tobacco. The American Cancer Society estimates that there are $35 in health-related costs for each pack of cigarettes purchased.
At Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹, many resources are available to students, faculty and staff for those who want to kick the habit. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), such as nicotine gum and the patch, and prescription medications are covered by CVS Health for Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ employees and dependents covered under the university-sponsored health plan.
Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ also provides other resources to help smokers quit. Find more information here.
The university’s smoke-free, tobacco-free policy applies to students, employees, volunteers, customers, visitors and all members of the Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ community.
For more information on the policy, visit www.kent.edu/smoke-free.