This being the month of the Great American Smokeout, I’m focused on tobacco cessation.

The bottom line seems to be this: the public supports tobacco-free spaces. Employers are more routinely supporting tougher tactics. People want to quit. Governments are trying to figure out where to step in. And tobacco companies still have a tight hold on anti-tobacco efforts.

The numbers of tobacco users has flatlined, but people who are using tobacco aren’t able to quit. They quit and relapse. Even those with a greater chance of staying tobacco-free, have a very low success rate.

Basically, we’re semi-stuck. Read more…

This year’s been a quiet in terms of health care reform.

There aren’t major changes as there were last year or as there will be in 2014. Because of that, many employers are turning down the dial on health care reform messages and information.

That’s a mistake.

With annual enrollment about to steamroll us, employers have a brilliant opportunity to introduce what’s coming down the pike  — which will be dramatic, no matter the company size. Employers are facing decisions about whether to continue offering benefits and how rich to keep their benefits plans. Read more…