Gannett smokers to pay

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Gannett Co. Inc.'s employees this month are receiving a notice that tells them to kick their nicotine habit or pay an extra $50 for their health insurance each month next year.

The McLean-based publisher of USA Today and 98 other daily newspapers nationwide is the latest company to institute a smoking disincentive to encourage healthy lifestyles and curb rising health care costs.

"This is part of a health and wellness initiative the company started a few years ago," said spokeswoman Tara Connell. For the past two weeks, the media company has sent letters explaining the policy to its estimated 40,000 U.S. employees. The surcharge will go into effect in January.

Gannett employees will be asked during the company's re-enrollment period whether they smoke. Workers who admit to smoking will be given the choice of enrolling in a company-funded cessation program or paying the $50 fee.

The measure includes any employee who uses tobacco products, even if the use is "occasional," Ms. Connell said, declining to explain further.

"We expect our employees to be honest," she said.

Gannett is encouraging all of its operating units to establish their own rules regarding smoking in the workplace with the hope of being a smoke-free company by Jan. 1, 2007.

The company's initiative follows similar programs from businesses nationwide.

Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., a Milwaukee health insurer, in March announced plans to impose a $25-a-month health insurance surcharge in January for employees who smoke.

State employees in Kentucky, West Virginia, Alabama and Georgia who smoke face a similar fee for their health insurance this year.