Jump to full article: Augusta (GA) Chronicle, 2009-09-01
Author: Morris News Service
Intro: Chatham County employee James Putney is on his way to becoming smoke-free after 40 years of lighting up.
After attending three of four smoking cessation classes, he is down from 20 to two cigarettes a day, Putney said.
The county's plan to start charging employees who smoke an extra $20 per paycheck for health insurance also helped his fight.
"It's a great incentive to get people to quit," Putney said, "especially with the way the economy is."
Putney's success so far is something county officials are hoping to emulate with their push to get employees to kick the habit.
Of the county's 139 admitted smokers, 115 signed up for the four free sessions. The remaining 24 will pay the fee.
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