City’s Nicotine Patch Program Showing More Quit Smoking Than Expected

More than 11,000 smokers who participated in a free nicotine patch distribution program last year quit smoking, making it probably the largest and perhaps most effective program of its kind in the United States and preventing at least 1,700 deaths. Approximately 35,000 six-week courses of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) were distributed to eligible New Yorkers last spring.

The patch initiative reached a broad cross-section of smokers in New York City. Most patch recipients were either black, Latino, Asian, or from low-income neighborhoods. Women, young adults, and Staten Islanders participated in the program at particularly high rates. Brooklyn had more smokers — 8,500 — than any other borough participate in the program.

"When we announced this program last year, we estimated that at most 10-15% of NRT recipients would quit smoking," said DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Thomas R. Frieden. "The results far exceeded our expectations. More than twice our original estimate – about 11,000 people – who received the patch through this program quit. There are important implications of these results for people who smoke, their doctors, and their families. Most New Yorkers who smoke want to quit and try to quit each year. But 4 of 5 who tried to quit did so without the benefit of medications or counseling, which we know greatly increase quit rates. Most people who want to quit should receive medications. Doctors should advise their patients to quit and provide medications to virtually all patients who are trying to quit. And families who want to assist their loved ones to quit should encourage them to try medication or counseling. Simply put: drugs to help people quit smoking work!"

"This effort shows that there is an unmet demand for accessible and affordable cessation services in New York City," said Dr. K. Michael Cummings of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute. "Medications such as the nicotine patch can double the success rate in quitting, and the City’s Health Department should be commended for implementing a program which helped save thousands of lives."

Following the program’s launch last April, 1-866-NY-QUITS, the New York State Smokers’ Quitline was inundated with calls. Smokers were eligible to receive the six-week NRT courses at no cost. In all, 34,090 kits were shipped out, reaching approximately 5% of the city’s heavy smokers, including 15% of those who smoked more than 20 cigarettes (one pack) per day.

Dr. Frieden continued, "More than 1,700 premature deaths will be prevented as a result of this 6-week initiative. We hope these results will have a strong impact on national legislative and policy decisions on smoking cessation programs."

Dr. Nancy Miller, Assistant Commissioner for Tobacco Control and the project director, emphasized the importance of increasing use of cessation medications: "Doctors should strongly consider prescribing nicotine replacement or bupropion for every one of their patients who smokes and who wants to quit."

To determine the program’s success, a survey was conducted six months after most recipients of NRT kits began treatment.

Smoking cessation is an integral component of DOHMH’s tobacco control program, which also includes taxation, legal action, public education, and evaluation. For more information about the benefits of quitting smoking, call 311 or visit nyc.gov/health. New Yorkers can also call the New York State Smokers’ Quitline, at 1 (866) NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487)

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) operates 14 free smoking cessation clinics, including four in Brooklyn listed below, that provide supportive counseling, and medication when necessary, to help people quit smoking. New Yorkers can call 311 to ask for more information about these facilities, including days and hours of operation.

BROOKLYN SMOKING
CESSATION FACILITIES

• Coney Island Hospital, 2601 Ocean Parkway

• Kings County Hospital Center, 451 Clarkson Avenue

• Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center,
760 Broadway

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