Penn's Quit Smoking Program
Kicking the smoking habit can be one of the hardest things you’ve ever done—but also one of the most rewarding. If you’ve tried to quit before but slipped back into the habit, or want to quit but don't know how, we can help. Penn's Quit Smoking program offers a variety of resources to help you become—and stay—nicotine free.
Smoking Cessation Research Study
Starting this May, the School of Medicine’s Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Nicotine Addiction (CIRNA) Center will run monthly information sessions on campus about their new smoking cessation research study: MAPS for Quitting Smoking. You can learn about readiness to quit, the quit smoking process, the components of the MAPS for Quitting Smoking program and the options for applying to participate in the study.
If you’re selected for the research study, you’ll be reimbursed for your time and effort. In addition, you’ll receive the following at no cost:
- Nicotine replacement therapy
- Smoking cessation counseling, including an online component
Click here to register for the information sessions. If you'd like more information or help with registering, contact Penn Human Resources at qowl@hr.upenn.edu or 215-898-5116. You can also contact the Tobacco Use Research Center/CIRNA at 215-746-8560 to learn more about this program and eligibility requirements.
Penn Smoking Treatment Program
The Penn Smoking Treatment Program provides state-of-the-art and individualized treatment for smokers, including those with co-morbidities. It involves an initial evaluation visit with both a counselor and a physician, during which they construct a plan for ongoing care based on your history. This is a great resource for individuals who want one-on-one support. (Note: You’ll need to contact your insurance provider to see if a referral is required by a primary care doctor. Specialist visit copays apply.) For more information, click here.
Other Smoking Cessation Resources
You can find a number of quit smoking resources online and in the Philadelphia area to help you on your way to being smoke free. Some examples of online support include Smoke Free Philly and Determined to Quit. For additional options, click here.
Save Money on Quit Smoking Expenses
To support you in your efforts to kick the habit, Penn’s healthcare benefits offer a variety of ways for you to save money on quit smoking expenses such as medications and nicotine replacement products.
- Penn’s prescription drug plan offers discounted 90-day supplies of smoking cessation medications such as Zyban and Chantix through the CVS Caremark mail order program. Bupropion, the generic equivalent of Zyban, can be purchased for as little as $13.41 for a 90-day supply. CVS Caremark also offers a 20% discount for CVS brand, over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies if you use a CVS Extra Care Card at the time of purchase. For more information on Penn’s prescription plan, click here.
- Independence Blue Cross reimburses members up to $200 per year in expenses associated with trying to quit smoking. Members must enroll with Healthy Lifestyles prior to starting the smoking cessation program. Eligible smoking cessation aids include nicotine replacement products (e.g., gum, lozenge, inhaler) or prescribed medications (e.g., Chantix, Wellbutrin, Zyban). For more information or to enroll in Healthy Lifestyles, call 1-800-ASK-BLUE or visit the Health & Wellness section of the Independence Blue Cross website.
- Penn’s Health Care Pre-Tax Expense Account reimburses costs for prescribed nicotine replacement aids and prescribed quit smoking medications if other reimbursement options do not apply. For more information, click here.
Smoking Facts
- Smoking can cause cancer in many parts of the body, such as the kidneys, cervix, and bone marrow.
- Smoking diminishes your health. Adverse health effects begin before birth and continue across the life span.
- Smoking can cause cataracts and may contribute to the development of osteoporosis, which increases the risk for fractures in older adults.
- Each cigarette costs a smoker 5 to 20 minutes of life.
- A smoker has twice the risk of dying before the age of 65, as compared to a
non-smoker.
- The risk of heart disease increases approximately 100% with each pack of
cigarettes that is smoked each day.
- Lung cancer risk increases 50% to 100% with each cigarette that is smoked each day.
- Smokers spend 27% more time in the hospital and more than twice the time in the intensive care unit than non-smokers.