Tobacco Use and Secondhand Smoke Exposure: Reducing Out-of-Pocket Costs for Evidence-Based Cessation Treatments

The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends policies and programs to reduce tobacco users’ out-of-pocket costs for evidence-based cessation treatments and thereby increase the number of tobacco users who quit. Reducing tobacco users’ out-of-pocket costs involves policy or program changes that make evidence-based treatments, including medication, counseling, or both, more affordable. To achieve this, new benefits may be provided, or changes may be made to the level of benefits offered that reduce costs or co-payments. Policy and program changes may be communicated to tobacco users and health care providers to increase awareness, interest in quitting, and use of evidence-based treatments.