DOH Offers Free Patches To Stop Smoking

New York City wants to help people kick the habit. Through a collaborative City and State Health Department program, the first 35,000 eligible New York City smokers who call the Quitline will be provided with free nicotine replacement patches. Each patch contains nicotine, and the dose is gradually lowered over a six-week course of treatment.
"Quitting smoking is the single most important step you can take to improve your health," said New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Thomas Frieden. "I am pleased to announce this initiative today because 70 percent of the citys smokers want to stop, and nicotine replacement therapy doubles long-term quit rates."
Smokers who are 18 and over and want to quit should call the New York State Smokers Quitline at 1-866-NYQUITS (1-866-697-8487). While supplies last, smokers will receive a six-week supply of nicotine patches, instructions on how to use the patch effectively, contact information for local stop-smoking programs and the Break Loose stop-smoking guide. Program participants will also be contacted by phone after they receive their stop-smoking kit by counselors who will offer support and advice on quitting.
"Kicking the habit is the best gift smokers can give themselves and the people who care about them," said New York State Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, MD.
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) would also like to remind New Yorkers about the many ongoing services at smoking cessation clinics throughout the city. The DOHMH and the HHC have joined forces to establish a comprehensive tracking system that ensures effective cessation services at the clinics. HHC smoking cessation clinics provide counseling, medication when necessary and support to help people quit.
HHC President Dr. Benjamin Chu said, "Assisting smokers who want to quit is a top health and public health priority. That is why the HHC operates 14 state-of-the-art smoking cessation clinics throughout the city that provide free counseling and nicotine replacement therapy."
Helping New Yorkers quit is an integral part of DOHMHs tobacco control program, which includes taxation, legal action, education and comprehensive evaluation of policies and activities related to tobacco and smoking. Smokers should also be aware that they can also receive help quitting smoking from health care providers, worksite wellness programs and Internet sources. A list of smoking cessation services in NYC is available at https://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/smoke/quit.html. Those people seeking additional help should call 1-866-NYQUITS between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m., Monday through Sunday.