Dear NYSSPA Members:

Nicotine Patch Kits Available at No Cost to first 35,000 Eligible New Yorkers who call 311.

New York City smokers 18 or older can call 311 starting today to find out if they are eligible to receive nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) patch kits at no cost, Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Thomas R. Frieden announced today. Quitting smoking is the most important thing smokers can do to improve their health. Medication like the patch can double the chances of a successful quit. Call 311 today to find out if you're eligible!

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/home/home.shtml

Once someone starts a smoking cessation attempt, it is important to provide or connect them with ongoing counseling and support. That can easily be done by a PA referring them to 1-800-QUIT NOW. This is a free support hotline that links to state counselors. The program is supported by a number of organizations - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Cancer Institute, funding from the tobacco settlement, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and others.

Michael Ellwood MBA PA-C
Director, Special Projects
American Academy of Physician Assistants
(703) 836-2272 ext 3307
mellwood@aapa.org