Smoking cessation is a year-round program at HHC. Since 2005, HHC has helped approximately 34,000 people to quit smoking. Research suggests that as a result, one-third of these people will avoid smoking-related diseases and premature death.

This month HHC facilities participated in the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout® to educate New Yorkers about the importance of quitting the habit. HHC has a smoking cessation program in each of its 11 hospitals and six diagnostic and treatment centers. Programs are open Monday through Friday and offer a variety of methods to quit, including nicotine replacement therapy, counseling and case management to help patients stay in treatment. HHC employees who want to quit smoking can get information from Employee Health Services or the Quit Smoking Clinic in their facility. Other New Yorkers can visit www.nyc.gov/hhc or call 311 for the HHC facility near you.

November 2010