Help is available to stop smoking

State Senator Malcolm A. Smith celebrated the 30th anniversary of the American Cancer Society's (ACS) Great American Smokeout last week by urging constituents to give up their smokes during the one-day, anti-smoking campaign and beyond.
&#8220The Smokeout is the one time in your life where you are encouraged to be a quitter,” Smith said. &#8220Could this be the first day of a life without tobacco? Why not?”
The Smokeout held this year on Thursday, November 16, spotlights the health dangers of tobacco use and the challenges of quitting. According to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), 18.9 percent of adults in New York City smoke and 10,000 of them die each year from tobacco-related illnesses.
Senator Smith noted that since the Smokeout began in 1971, millions have taken the plunge. However, back then, going &#8220cold turkey” was the only option.
&#8220Now we have a variety of effective medications - prescription and over-the-counter - to help smokers quit. In fact, many smokers don't realize their health plan covers smoking cessation medication and counseling,” he said.
The City's Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) offered free smoking cessation services and goods to the public including counseling sessions, respiratory tests, carbon monoxide tests, nicotine patches, lozenges and gum and educational information at many of its facilities including Elmhurst and Queens Hospital Centers.
According to HHC, more than 20,000 New Yorkers have enrolled in its smoking cessation program in the last year and since 2003 nearly 50,000 New Yorkers have received comprehensive treatment for tobacco use that includes drug therapy, counseling and case management. The HHC said that most patients are treated with Nicotine Replacement Therapy and/or medications.
&#8220There are fewer smokers in New York City today, thanks in great part to the smoking cessation efforts of the city’s public hospitals,” said HHC President Alan Aviles. &#8220Our QuitSmoking Clinics are open today and year-round for all New Yorkers who want to stop smoking.”
For help with quitting and information on smoking cessation services, call the Citizen Service Center at 3-1-1. For information about HHC's QuitSmoking program visit www.nyc.gov/hhc.