NYC Health + Hospitals Joins the American Cancer Society and Over 50 Organizations in Effort to help New Yorkers Stop Smoking
Smoking cessation programs planned in all five boroughs during New York Kicks Butts week, May 31st - June 6th #NYKicksButts
May 31, 2016
NYC Health + Hospitals joined the American Cancer Society and a coalition of more than 50 health care providers, advocacy and community organizations, non-and for-profit businesses, patient communities, religious institutions and more to help residents of New York City put down their cigarettes for good.
The 2016 New York Kicks Butts Smoking Cessation Campaign is a weeklong citywide effort to encourage all New York City smokers to quit smoking with aid from qualified health care professionals and learn about the tools and support available to assist them during this week and beyond. The campaign also aims to create an online community of support by encouraging social media users to share their experiences with quitting tobacco using the hashtag #NYKicksButts.
New York Kicks Butts week begins on World No Tobacco Day (Tuesday, May 31) and runs through Monday, June 6.
New York City is a nationwide leader in the area of tobacco control, yet 13.9% of residents – or 900,000 people – continue to smoke as of 2014. Tobacco use remains the number one cause of preventable death in New York City, and more than 7,500 New Yorkers die from smoking-related illnesses every year. And despite significant progress in smoking cessation, troubling disparities exist among the more than 900,000 New Yorkers who continue to smoke. Among the five boroughs, the Bronx and Staten Island have the highest smoking rates.
“NYC Health + Hospitals has made smoking cessation a priority for many years. Since smoking is linked to lung cancer, emphysema, high blood pressure, heart disease, and more, it is essential that New Yorkers find the support they need to stop smoking and live their healthiest life. Last year, more than 15,000 of our patients worked with one of our smoking cessation coordinators to quit smoking. We’re happy to support this coordinated effort to build healthy neighborhoods and raise awareness of the resources that exist to help people quit for good,” said Dr. Ram Raju, President and CEO, NYC Health + Hospitals.
“The smoking rate in New York City is very low when compared to national numbers. But we won’t be satisfied with fewer smokers – we want zero smokers,” said Dr. Alvaro Carrascal, Vice President of Eastern Division Health Systems for the American Cancer Society. “Fortunately, this campaign proves that we have the commitment of the public and private sector to help every New Yorker put down their cigarettes for good. The resources to kick the habit are available, and collectively we’re helping smokers get whatever help they need.”
New York Kicks Butts will focus on making residents aware of the numerous resources that are available to help them quit, right in their own neighborhood.
Click here for a full list of partner organizations as well as quit tips and borough by borough quit resources.
Contact: Press Office, 212-788-3339
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation with a network of 11 hospitals including six regional trauma centers, community-based health centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, and a correctional health services unit. The system includes a home care agency and a health plan, MetroPlusHealth. The health system provides essential services to 1.2 million New Yorkers every year in more than 70 locations across the five boroughs. Its diverse workforce of more than 42,000 employees are uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. Visit nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected: https://www.facebook.com/NYCHealthSystem/ or Twitter @NYCHealthSystem.