Medical research has long shown quitting smoking at any age can improve a person’s health.
But a Duke Univ. shows that the group you may think would be the least likely to quit – individuals over the age of 50 – may actually have the best odds for quitting through a use of tobacco cessation program.
Researchers tracked 573 older patients over 10 years. They found that just 16 percent of those who joined the use of tobacco cessation program later returned to use of tobacco. Meanwhile, previous research has found young smokers who attempt to quit have a 35 percent to 45 percent relapse rate within two years.
Bottom line – Given the aging staff member population and the cost of retiree healthcare, you may want to keep attempting with smoking cessation education for your older employees.