DOH to distribute free patches to help smokers quit

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Thomas R. Frieden has announced that through a collaborative City and State Health Department initiative, free nicotine replacement therapy (i.e., "the patch") will be provided to the first 35,000 eligible New York City smokers over the age of 18 who call the New York State Smokers' Quit Line -- (866) NYQUITS (1-866-697-8487). 

Each patch contains nicotine, and the dose is gradually lowered over a six-week course of treatment -- 21 milligrams (mg) of nicotine during the first two weeks, followed by two weeks at 14 mg, and the last two weeks at 7 mg. Eligible smokers will receive the following quit pack in the mail:

• Six week supply of nicotine patches (2 week supply of 21 mg patches; 2 week supply of 14 mg patches; and 2 week supply of 7 mg patches);
• Instructions on how to use the nicotine patch;
• Contact information for local stop smoking services; and
• Break Loose stop smoking guide.

Program participants also will be contacted by phone after they receive their nicotine patches to offer support and advice on how to stop smoking. This offer is only available to smokers who call for themselves. One package per smoker and only while supplies last.

For information on additional programs to help smokers quit currently available downtown, click here.