Free, effective smoking and vaping cessation programs are available.

Using tobacco, whether by smoking, vaping, or a smokeless product, like a Zyn pouch, can impact your health in a variety of ways. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and tobacco use contributes to a variety of diseases and conditions, such as stroke, cancers, heart disease, weak bones, and more. Fortunately, when a person quits using tobacco products, they begin to reduce their risk of developing or worsening these conditions. Quitting smoking isn’t easy. It can take more than 10 tries to finally quit smoking. With help, people can increase their chance of success.

The American Cancer Society has designated the third Thursday of November as the Great American Smokeout. This year, it falls on November 20^th. It doesn’t have to be the day you quit using tobacco, but it can be the day you make a plan to quit. That could mean talking to your healthcare provider about quitting, calling the NYS Quitline, or reaching out to the health department about the next Freedom From Smoking or Not On Tobacco programs. Freedom From Smoking is a seven-week evidence-based smoking quit program. The program is structured to help provide new coping techniques and skills to quit and remain tobacco free. It can also help a person quit vaping. Not On Tobacco (NOT) is another proven quit program built especially for teens. Nicotine replacement therapies (NRT), like nicotine patches or gum, are offered for free through both the NYS Quitline and at the health department’s Freedom From Smoking programs.

If you are ready to quit, or are thinking about it, let us know by completing this form. The health department is hoping to plan future sessions of Freedom From Smoking soon.

For more information about quitting tobacco and the Freedom From Smoking program, visit www.lung.org/quit-smoking