The Manhattan Tobacco Cessation Program (MTCP) housed at New York University’s College of Dentistry (NYUCD) applauds the New York City Council, especially Speaker Christine C. Quinn, for voting to pass a smoking ban for New York City’s Parks and Beaches.
Ban Challenges Providers to Assist Their Patients Who Desire to Quit Smoking
The Manhattan Tobacco Cessation Program (MTCP) housed at New York University’s College of Dentistry (NYUCD) applauds the New York City Council, especially Speaker Christine C. Quinn, for voting to pass a smoking ban for New York City’s Parks and Beaches.
Numerous studies have shown that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure. Just 30 minutes of exposure to second hand smoke can increase the risk of blood clots and can lead to more frequent asthma attacks in asthmatic children.
Overall the goal for all the New York City Smoking Bans is to reduce morbidity and mortality caused by tobacco use, and to alleviate the social and economic burden to the state. New York State spends $8.17 billion annually in medical costs to treat tobacco caused diseases and 25,400 New Yorkers die each year due to tobacco use.
“There are 2.7 million smokers in New York and over 75% of current smokers want to quit smoking” says Deanna Jannat-Khah, MSPH, Project Director MTCP at NYUCD. “Many smokers do not view their medical providers as a potential resource to help them quit smoking, but with the help of medical providers smokers are more likely to have a successful quit.”
In light of the recent smoking ban, we encourage medical providers across New York to ask all their patients if they use any form of tobacco and when appropriate to refer them to the NY State Quitline 1-866-NYQUITS (1-866-697-8487) , prescribe pharmacotherapy, or refer them to counseling.
The new smoking ban is a great opportunity for New Yorkers to partner with their medical providers to quit smoking.
The Manhattan Tobacco Cessation Program is one of nineteen cessation centers funded by the New York State Tobacco Control Program and is housed at the College of Dentistry at New York University. The MTCP seeks to partner with healthcare institutions based in Manhattan to assist them with the implementation of tobacco screening and treatment services. www.nyu.edu/dental/tobacco