Tobacco Cessation
Emory has implemented significant measures to reduce smoking and tobacco use on our campuses and facilities, acknowledging its impact as a leading cause of preventable death.
Helping You Quit
To support our community members in their efforts to give up using tobacco, Emory offers several cessation programs and resources, many of which are accessible to both employees and their spouses. If you are ready to quit for good, Emory can help.
Tobacco Free Emory
Tobacco Use Surcharge
Emory requires tobacco users to pay a $50 surcharge per month ($25 biweekly per pay period) on their medical plan to support a culture of health and well-being and to discourage tobacco use. The surcharge also includes covered spouses, so if you and your spouse use tobacco, you’ll pay an extra $100 monthly.
“Tobacco user” refers to the use of tobacco products within the past two consecutive months but does not include religious or ceremonial use of tobacco. The term “tobacco products” refers to any tobacco product, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, all forms of smokeless tobacco, clove cigarettes, and any other smoking devices that use tobacco, such as hookahs, or simulate the use of tobacco, such as electronic cigarettes.
How to change tobacco surcharge status
If you quit using tobacco and have been tobacco-free for two months or complete a cessation program, you need to update your tobacco surcharge status. All changes to your surcharge status will become effective on the first of the month following the date you make the change. If you believe you are being charged the surcharge in error, please contact Benefits as soon as you notice the charge.
Mail or Email copies of tobacco cessation completion certificate or tobacco cessation physician affidavit form to the following:
University Employees: hrbenef@emory.edu
Healthcare Employees: ehc.hr.benefits@emoryhealthcare.org
Emory University, Benefits and Work Life, 1599 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322
* You can update your status any time during the year:
- If you contact Emory-Benefits by March 31 next year, you will receive a full refund of your tobacco user surcharges for January, February, and March.
- If you contact Emory-Benefits after March 31, you may update your tobacco user status anytime during the year. Your change will go into effect on the first of the following month when you make the change. No refunds will be given.
Certifying your status
When you certify your tobacco user status, you attest that the information is accurate and correct to the best of your knowledge. Emory expects employees to uphold the highest standards of intellectual honesty and integrity, in compliance with the Emory Ethics policy. Therefore, you should respond honestly regarding your status.
Emory University and Emory Healthcare do not currently prohibit smokers from applying/being hired for jobs or attending the university as a student. However, all prospective employees and students should know and abide by the campus and facility policies.
If I’m a new hire who was hired during or after Open Enrollment?
As a new hire, when you complete the tobacco certification during your onboarding process, your response will be saved and will carry over into future enrollments, including open enrollment periods. If nothing has changed regarding your tobacco use, you won’t need to re-certify during open enrollment. However, if your status changes, for example, if you quit or start using tobacco, you’ll need to update your certification during open enrollment to reflect your current situation.