Help employees reduce tobacco use, or quit for good
The decision for employees to quit tobacco use or vaping can have positive effects on oral, physical, and mental health, but it comes with its challenges. And you can help with dental insurance that offers a digital tobacco cessation program — included with all new Guardian Group Dental plans.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), tobacco use is one of the leading causes of preventable illness in the US.¹
Oral health
43% of people who vaped and 73% of people who smoked had gum disease and oral infections. Compared to 28% among people who neither smoked nor vaped.2
Overall health
More than 16 million Americans are living with a disease caused by smoking.3
Families
10% of middle and high school students — about 2.8 million people — reported current tobacco product use in 2023, with e-cigarettes remaining the most commonly used product.4
Habit to Harm: Tobacco usage and its impact on workforce well-being
Get the latest tobacco use trends, find out the impact on emotional, physical, and financial health, and discover how benefits can help support those interested in quitting.
Help empower employees and their families to live tobacco free
Guardian + Pelago Tobacco Cessation program is an embedded feature of new Guardian Group Dental PPO plans that provides confidential, digital support — meeting members wherever they are.
Employees, as well as dependents ages 15 and older, can take advantage of the program at any time. Learn more about the program’s features and proven results.
Pelago’s proven outcomes
44%
Of members quit tobacco use in just 26 weeks5
5x
Greater likelihood of quitting over the course of 1 year with Pelago over other programs6
48%
Fewer cigarettes smoked by non-quitters
Already a Guardian Dental member with a plan that includes tobacco cessation?
Discover more ways Guardian dental benefits can help you prioritize employee well-being
1 Tobacco Use and Cessation, America Dental Association, November 1, 2022
2 Michael Precker, Need another reason not to vape? Your oral health is at risk, American Heart Association News, August 26, 2020
3 Smoking & Tobacco Use Health Effects, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
4 Jan Birdsey, MPH; Monica Cornelius, PhD; Ahmed Jamal, MBBS; Eunice Park-Lee, PhD; Maria R. Cooper, PhD, Tobacco Product Use Among U.S. Middle and High School Students — National Youth Tobacco Survey, 2023, CDC
5,6 Each stat is supported by a 2022 study that evaluated Quit Genius, a digital clinician-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention combining pharmacotherapy and behavioral treatment for smoking cessation. https://academic.oup.com/ntr/article/24/11/1763/6574261?login=false. Webb J, Peerbux S, Ang A, Siddiqui S, Sherwani Y, Ahmed M, MacRae H, Puri H, Majeed A, Glasner S. Long-Term Effectiveness of a Clinician-Assisted Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention for Smoking Cessation: Secondary Outcomes from a Randomized Controlled Trial. Nicotine Tob Res. 2022 Apr 26; natc113. Doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntac113. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35470860.
DentalGuard Insurance is underwritten and issued by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY. Products are not available in all states. Policy limitations and exclusions apply. Optional riders and/or features may incur additional costs. Generic Policy Form # GP-1-DG2000, et al; GP-1-DEN-16; DG7-P. The state approved form is the governing document.
Tobacco Cessation benefits discussed herein are provided by Pelago (Pelago Benefits). Pelago is not a medical care provider. The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian) does not control or provide any part of the Pelago Benefits and does not bear any liability for their provision. This informational resource is not a contract and is for illustrative purposes only. Only the policy contains applicable terms. Pelago Benefits may not be available in all states. Guardian and Pelago reserve the right to discontinue the Pelago Benefits at any time without notice.