Medication to help smokers cut down on or quit smoking became available with no co-pay to Partners employees and their adult dependents as of last year. The benefit includes non-prescription nicotine patches, gum and lozenges, as well as prescription drugs, such as bupropion (Zyban) or varenicline (Chantix).

BWH employees and their adult dependents are also invited to enroll in the free Partners in Helping You Quit (PiHQ) research study designed to help smokers cut down on and quit smoking.

The study is testing which of two programs is most effective in helping employees quit smoking. Smokers who join the PiHQ study will be randomly assigned to one of two programs. Both provide a personal tobacco coach and offer help that is private, confidential and tailored to employees’ needs.

“As an academic medical center, it is part of our mission to innovate and find new ways to support wellness for our employees, and this study is one example of that,” said Julie Celano, vice president of BWH Human Resources.

To learn more about PiHQ, call 617-724-2205 or email PiHQ@partners.org.