New York Health Department Launches Media Campaign to Help Smokers Quit and Access Treatment Resources

NEW YORK — The Health Department launched a new media campaign Monday to help New Yorkers access tobacco treatment resources.

New Yorkers who want to quit smoking can contact the New York State Quitline (NYSSQL) or the Asian Smokers Quitline (ASQ), where they can speak with a smoking cessation coach, and those who are eligible (most are) can receive a free NYC Quits. nicotine medication starter kit (nicotine patches and lozenges).

People who quit smoking can add years to their lives and improve their health. Nicotine medications plus counseling can double someone’s chances of successfully quitting.

“The facts are clear, smoking remains a leading risk of preventable disease, suffering and death for New Yorkers, and while Big Tobacco will do whatever it takes to keep people smoking, we have the tools and the dogged commitment to help our city to defend itself. said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “This is especially true for people of color and communities like mine, the Asian Pacific Islander community, who are specifically targeted by industry messaging to smoke. All New Yorkers who smoke should use free and available resources, like the New York State Quitline, to start living a healthier life today.”

The $1.5 million “All New Yorkers!” The campaign is running across the city through TV, radio and digital ads, LinkNYC and the Staten Island Ferry from June 5-30.

Tobacco use can cause strokes, diabetes, heart, lung, and vascular diseases, and more than 10 types of cancer. The smoking prevalence rate in New York City has dropped dramatically over the past 20 years from 22% in 2002 to 9% in 2021 according to the New York City Community Health Survey of 2021, but some New Yorkers continue to smoke at higher rates.

These smoking-related inequities exist because some communities are more exposed to harmful factors that encourage smoking (such as industry messaging or access to harmful products) and have fewer protective factors (such as access to healthy coping resources or treatment support). The intersection of identities and forms of injustice that people experience can contribute to even more nuanced influences on behavior. In 2019-2020, non-US-born Asian/Pacific Islander men were more likely to smoke than US-born Asian/Pacific Islander men (20% vs. 5%). The data tells a different story when looking at Black and Latino New Yorkers. For example, black and Latino men were more likely to smoke if they were born in the US (23% and 21%, respectively) than if they were born outside the US (5% and 11%, respectively).

To better support communities most affected by smoking-related inequalities, smoking treatment programs have been launched at the Neighborhood Health Action Centers in Tremont y East Harlem. New Yorkers who smoke or vape can access counseling and a medication support starter kit (nicotine patches and lozenges), whether or not they are ready to quit now. Nicotine medications, such as patches and lozenges, replace the nicotine people get from smoking or vaping without the harmful and cancer-causing chemicals. Nicotine medications are safe and have no or mild side effects when used correctly.

Citywide tobacco treatment services are available in the following ways:

• Visit the New York State Quitline or call 866-NY-QUITS (866-697-8487) to request the free nicotine medication starter kit and speak with a Quit Coach. A smoking cessation coach will help you create a plan for coping with social and emotional triggers and see what dose of nicotine medication will best control your physical nicotine withdrawal symptoms. All services are confidential and can be used by anyone, regardless of insurance or immigration status.
• Talk to your health care provider about medications for smoking treatment (PDF) and counseling options. Most of the health insurance plans (PDF), including Medicaid, cover services to help you quit smoking.
  • If you’re not ready to quit, there is still support available to help you reach your goals, including treatment options to help you reduce or avoid smoking when you want. Visited nyc.gov/health for more information.
• Find local programs to quit smoking and quit vaping:
  • New York City Health Map
  • East Harlem Neighborhood Health Action Center (158 E. 115th St., New York, NY 10029): Walk-ins accepted Tuesdays, 2-4 pm, or call 855-789-8760 for more information.
  • Tremont Neighborhood Health Action Center (1826 Arthur Ave., Bronx, NY 10457): Call 718-508-0722 to make an appointment.
• For more information, visit nyc.gov/nycquits.