Community Corner

State Expands Smoking Cessation Help to All

Free nicotine-replacement therapy is now available to all New Jersey smokers.

The state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has extended its offer of free nicotine-replacement therapy, including quit-smoking patches or nicotine-replacement gum, to all New Jersey residents.

When it announced the program in mid-May, DHSS noted it was only making the free quit-smoking aids available to smokers who receive Medicaid or are uninsured.

The program has since been expanded to include all New Jersey smokers, 18 and older, while supplies last.

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With a pack of cigarettes running at about $8 in New Jersey, what better time than now to quit the unhealthy habit?

Studies suggest that while the success rate is only 4 to 7 percent for those who try to quit smoking without medicine or other aids, those who do use nicotine-replacement patches, gum or other products can go smoke-free for more than six months at a success rate as high as 33 percent.

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Think of how much better you'll feel, not to mention how much money you can save.

To take advantage, smokers must call New Jersey Quitline at 1-866-NJSTOPS and register to receive an eight-week supply of nicotine-replacement aids.

DHSS is working in partnership with other agencies to reach diverse populations throughout the state to promote this exclusive, limited-time offer for free nicotine-replacement therapy and to ultimately help curb smoking.

Informational palm cards are being distributed throughout the state to a variety of outlets such as public-assistance agencies, affordable-housing networks, community-based organizations, community food banks and YMCAs to promote the free program.

Quitline services are 60 percent more effective than trying to quit smoking without help, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Highly trained NJ Quitline coaches are available seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. Counseling is provided in 170 different languages. The coaches work with each client to develop an individualized treatment plan, including ongoing support and follow-up.

For more information on how the service works when you pick up the phone and reach a NJ Quitline coach, visit njquitline.org.


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