Citing potential cost savings, a report from the American Lung Association urges states to provide easier access to comprehensive anti-smoking treatments, HealthDay News reported Nov. 13.

"Millions of dollars and countless lives could be save each year if more smokers quit," said Bernadette Toomey, president and CEO of the American Lung Association. "States cannot continue to ignore this unfortunate reality."

Recent studies estimate a $20,000 lifetime savings in tobacco-related health costs for every former smoker, the American Lung Association said. Employers and insurance plans could see a savings up to $210 a year for every covered smoker who quits.

Comprehensive coverage was defined by the report as including seven smoking-cessation medications and three forms of counseling recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Medications include over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies and two non-nicotine prescription drugs: bupropion (Welbutrin, Zyban) and varenicline (Chantix).

The American Lung Association suggested that states need to eliminate barriers like co-pays, length of treatment limits, and prior authorization requirements in an effort to make tobacco-cessation medications and counseling more accessible.

Eight states (California, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota and Rhode Island) require insurance companies to provide smoking-cessation coverage; seven states (Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon and Pennsylvania) provide comprehensive cessation coverage for Medicaid recipients. Only six states (Alabama, Illinois, Maine, Nevada, North Dakota and New Mexico) provide comprehensive coverage for state employees.