Tobacco Premium

No Tobacco Premium in 2027

  • There will be no tobacco premium in 2027. We are temporarily pausing the tobacco premium due to the transition to the Workday software platform (internal link).
  • Employees will still need to attest to their tobacco usage during Annual Enrollment this fall. The information will be used only to determine your Critical Illness voluntary benefit rate if you enroll (non-tobacco users pay less).
  • The current 2026 tobacco premium is unchanged.
  • The tobacco premium is expected to be reinstated in 2028.

Tobacco Cessation Programs

Although there will be no tobacco premium in 2027, we encourage employees to complete a tobacco cessation program for health purposes. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. Successful completion will cease future deductions if you are currently paying the $500 tobacco premium but will not refund prior deductions.

Current options:

UMR Wellness CARE Health Coaching

  • Work with a UMR Wellness CARE health coach or our onsite UMR Health Coach to complete tobacco cessation coaching.
    • Online: Visit www.umr.com, click on Health Center, Live Well Reward$, Wellness CARE Health Coaching and fill out the Coaching Interest Form.
    • Onsite: Contact the onsite UMR Health Coach directly.

UMR Online Quit Smoking Action Plan

  • Visit www.umr.com, click on Health Center, Live Well Reward$, Action Plans, click the right arrow to navigate through the plans to Quit Smoking, and click Enroll.
  • This self-guided program is designed for cigarette smoking cessation and includes an initial assessment, development of a cessation plan, weekly lessons, and final assessment. You will get resources to manage triggers and break down barriers plus medical/personal support to successfully quit.
  • NOTE: The Quit Smoking plan is a qualified tobacco cessation program but does not qualify as a Wellness Incentive Program activity.

FAQs

How would you define a tobacco user?

Someone who has used a tobacco product (cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, dip, snuff, and hookahs) at least once a week in the past three months.

If I attest to being a tobacco user during Annual Enrollment this fall, will I have to pay a tobacco premium?

No. The program is temporarily paused, so no employees will be assessed the $500 tobacco premium in 2027.

What if I am currently paying a tobacco premium? How can I get it stopped?

Employees on a Pinellas County medical plan who attested to tobacco use during Annual Enrollment last fall and who did not complete a qualified tobacco cessation program between August 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026 are being charged a $500 tobacco premium through paycheck deductions as of April 2026.

You have 2 options to stop future premium deductions:

  • Cessation program: Complete a Tobacco Cessation Program at any time this year.
  • Quit tobacco: If you have been tobacco free for 90 days or longer, you may fill out a tobacco attestation form and future deductions will cease. Email the Wellness Program to request the form.

Please note that any deductions already taken cannot be refunded.

Does Pinellas County offer resources to help me quit tobacco?

Yes. See the Tobacco Cessation Program options above. You can also view Tobacco Cessation Resources.

What if I need nicotine replacement therapy such as gum or patches to quit tobacco?

If you attend a Tobacco Free Florida class, you may be eligible to receive free patches, gum, or lozenges if medically appropriate.

The following FDA-approved tobacco cessation aids are available at no cost through your medical benefits with a prescription:

  • Nicotine Gum
  • Nicotine Skin Patches
  • Nicotine Lozenges
  • Nicotine Nasal Spray (Nicotrol®)
  • Zyban (Bupropion)
  • Chantix (Varenicline)

Electronic cigarettes are not approved by the FDA for therapeutic use.

How are the tobacco premium funds used?

The tobacco premium funds are applied to the Pinellas County Health Fund which pays for healthcare claims and related expenses.

How can I get more information?

Contact Wellness at wellness@pinellas.gov or by phone at (727) 464-3367, option 1.

7/7/26