Free nicotine replacement therapy programs vs implementing smoke-free workplaces: A cost-effectiveness comparison

M.K. Ong and S.A. Glantz

American Journal of Public Health, 2005, vol. 95, issue 6, 969-975

Abstract: We compared the cost-effectiveness of a free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) program with a statewide smoke-free workplace policy in Minnesota. We conducted 1-year simulations of costs and benefits. The number of individuals who quit smoking and the quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were the measures of benefits. After 1 year, a NRT program generated 18500 quitters at a cost of $7020 per quitter ($4440 per QALY), and a smoke-free workplace policy generated 10400 quitters at a cost of $799 per quitter ($506 per QALY). Smoke-free workplace policies are about 9 times more cost-effective per new nonsmoker than free NRT programs are. Smoke-free workplace policies should be a public health funding priority, even when the primary goal is to promote individual smoking cessation.

Date: 2005
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2004.040667_6

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2004.040667

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