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Quit and Win Smoking Cessation Program

The Quit and Win Smoking Cessation Program is coordinated by the Health Promotion Office (HPO) in collaboration with Primary Care Services and Counseling and Wellness Services (CWS). These individualized, confidential services are available to all NYU students at no cost and provide a terrific opportunity to experience the benefits of a smoke-free life.

There are three ways to engage with the HPO Quit & Win Smoking Cessation Program:

  1. Brief Informational Session - During this introductory consultation with a smoking cessation health educator, you will have a discussion about the program, various quit methods, and which track is best for you. If you prefer a one-time session only, you will receive information regarding preparation, building support, medications, cost savings, and relapse prevention. There is no formal follow-up with this option; however, students are welcome to return for more information as needed.
  2. Nicotine Replacement Therapy Distribution – You will have the opportunity to meet with a smoking cessation health educator for a one-time session to receive general cessation information and nicotine replacement therapy. When available, eligible students can receive nicotine patches or nicotine gum. After receiving the NRT, you will receive a follow-up email at one and six months.
  3. Short-term Individual Cessation Counseling – You will have the opportunity to meet with a smoking cessation health educator for four sessions to discuss your quitting process, including preparation, building support, cost savings, and relapse prevention, more in-depth than with the informational session. During the sessions, you will examine your smoking and general health habits, select a quit date, receive a Quit & Win workbook and NRT (if eligible), and determine the best course for quitting. After completing the Quit & Win program, you will receive a follow-up via email at one, six, and twelve months.
  4. *Prescription Cessation Medications – If you are interested in receiving a prescription for one of the two prescription medications or prescription nicotine replacement therapies only and you do not want to meet with a Smoking Cessation Health Educator, then contact primary care at (212) 443-1122 to schedule an appointment with a provider to receive your prescription.

The Quit and Win Smoking Cessation Program can be adapted to help students trying to quit smokeless tobacco or reduce the number of cigarettes smoked. Also, depending on your preferred quit date, the length of the short-term individual counseling can be condensed to fit your timeline.

How to Get Started with Quitting

For more information or to sign up, contact the Health Promotion Office (HPO) by calling (212) 443-1234, emailing health.promotion@nyu.edu, or stopping by the office (3rd Floor) in the Student Health Center.

When you contact us, please provide the following information:

  1. Your name:
  2. Your student ID number:
  3. Your contact information:
  4. How many cigarettes do you smoke per day?
  5. In which option are you interested? (select all that apply)
    • Smoking Cessation Information
    • Receiving Free Nicotine Replacement Therapy
    • Individual Smoking Cessation Counseling
    • Receiving a Prescription Medication* – Zyban or Chantix
  6. With which statement can you most closely identify?
    • I am considering quitting, but I'm not ready yet."
    • "I am going to reduce my use from ___ to ___ cigarettes."
    • "I am going to quit in the next 30 days."
    • "I have recently quit and I need help."
  7. Your availability for a meeting (9:30am-5pm, Monday-Friday)
  8. How did you hear about these smoking cessation resources?
    • Website
    • Friend
    • Brochure
    • Referral from NYU Counseling and Wellness Services
    • Referral from NYU Primary Care
    • Student Leader (Peer Educator, Resident Assistant, Commuter Assistant, etc.)
    • Other, please specify:

Once you submit this information to the Health Promotion Office, a smoking cessation health educator will respond to your inquiry within 48 business hours to set-up an appointment.

*Please Note: The Quit & Win Program does not cover the cost of prescription medications. Free over-the-counter Nicotine Replacement Therapies are distributed to eligible student for free when available.

Quit Methods

Quitting is a different process for everyone. There is no one right way to do it. Please review the options below to see which quit method feels right for you.

On Your Own
When employing this method, also known as "Cold Turkey", you will stop smoking without medication, counseling, nicotine replacement therapy, or other support methods.

Online Resources
There are a variety of online resources that provide information, connect you with professionals and other quitters, and help you to track your progress. For some, engaging with the Quit and Win Smoking Cessation Program is not an option. If you are not interested or available, these online options are a useful alternative.

Cessation Hotlines
Whether you are quit or are considering quitting and you want to talk to someone not affiliated with NYU, these cessation hotlines are a great resource. Many of these or other hotlines like them are available 24/7 to meet your needs. Before quitting, call a few quit-lines so that you know what to expect and which ones you like. It will help you to avoid stress and disappointment when you are looking for support.

  • National Quit Line – 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669)
  • New York State Quitline – 866-NY-QUITS (800-697-8487) - Through this quit-line you can also enroll in the NYS Fax to Quit program which supplies free nicotine replacement therapies to eligible quitters.
  • American Lung Association – 800-586-4872

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
Quitting smoking can be very difficult since dependence on cigarettes combines both the physical addiction to nicotine and the strong behavioral habit of smoking cigarettes. Nicotine replacement allows you to reduce physical withdrawal symptoms so that you can practice new non-smoking behaviors while systematically reducing your nicotine intake. All NRT products have some possible side effects, which should be considered when selecting this quit method.

  • Nicotine Patch: "The Patch" comes in a range of strengths and can be used for daytime only or for 24 hours. It delivers a steady dose of nicotine into the blood stream through the skin and is easy to use. Eligible students can receive free nicotine patches in HPO, when available.
  • Nicotine Gum: Nicotine Polacrilex, or gum, is designed to slowly release nicotine in the mouth when briefly chewed and then placed between the cheek and gums. Multiple times throughout the day one piece of gum is used. The gum comes in 2mg and 4mg doses. Eligible students can receive free, 2mg, mint-flavored nicotine gum in HPO, when available.
  • Nicotine Lozenges: Nicotine lozenges are the newest of NRT options. They are designed to slowly release nicotine in the mouth when placed between the cheek and gums. Multiple times throughout the day one lozenge is used. The lozenge comes in 2mg and 4mg doses.
  • Nicotine Inhaler (prescription only): Nicotine inhalers are thin plastic tubes with a nicotine cartridge inside. When you take a “puff” of the inhaler, the cartridge puts out a nicotine vapor in the mouth. The nicotine is then absorbed in the mouth.
  • Nicotine Nasal Spray (prescription only): Nicotine nasal spray is a bottle with liquid that is sprayed into the nose. The nicotine is quickly absorbed in the nose and delivered into the bloodstream.

Non-Nicotine Prescription Medications

  • Bupropion: More commonly known as Zyban® or Wellbutrin, this antidepressant was approved in 1997 to help smokers quit. The drug works to reduce the effects of nicotine in the brain, the withdrawal symptoms, and the urge to smoke. This medication can be combined with NRT.
  • Varenicline: More commonly known as Chantix™, this is the newest prescription drug and is only the second nicotine-free smoking cessation drug to gain FDA approval. The active ingredient works in two ways – by cutting the pleasure of smoking and reducing the withdrawal symptoms that lead to slips and relapse. This prescription should not be combined with NRT.

Counseling

  • Quit and Win Smoking Cessation Program: As detailed above, this program is offered by the Health Promotion Office in the NYU Student Health Center.
  • Counseling and Wellness Services: Often quitting smoking brings up other mental health concerns that need to be addressed as a part of the process. Some of these issues include depression, anxiety, stress management, eating disorders, body image, and/or substance abuse. If you feel that this is true for you, please consider meeting with someone in the NYU Counseling and Wellness Services. You can call (212) 998-4780 or (212) 443-9999 or stop by the Wellness Exchange on the 4th floor of the Student Health Center.
  • Group Counseling: Some quitters find success by being part of a quit community. There are many support groups and group counseling opportunities in the New York area. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene provides information by calling 311 or visiting their website
  • Nicotine Anonymous: This free, anonymous twelve-step program has meetings throughout NYC. For more information, call 415-750-0328 or visit their website at www.nicotine-anonymous.org