press release from the NYS Quitline

Want to quit smoking?

Help is available for Black and African American residents of New York State to quit smoking or vaping. The New York State Quitline reminds all about free coaching and medications.

Posted 2/25/26

NEW YORK STATE — As Black History Month continues throughout February, the New York State Quitline (NYS Quitline) celebrates the achievements and contributions of Black and …

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press release from the NYS Quitline

Want to quit smoking?

Help is available for Black and African American residents of New York State to quit smoking or vaping. The New York State Quitline reminds all about free coaching and medications.

Photo by Andres Siimon on Unsplash

Posted Wednesday, February 25, 2026 10:04 am

NEW YORK STATE — As Black History Month continues throughout February, the New York State Quitline (NYS Quitline) celebrates the achievements and contributions of Black and African Americans, and also reminds all those who live in New York State about free assistance to become tobacco*-free.

Unfortunately, among adult Black New Yorkers, cigarette use is higher than in other racial and ethnic groups. In addition, they have a higher death rate from tobacco-related causes and are more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke.

Black communities also endured targeted marketing of menthol tobacco products for decades. Trained Quit Coaches at the NYS Quitline interact with dozens of participants every day who are addicted to these products, which are maliciously designed to be easier to start and harder to quit. Among people who identify as Black and African American, 93% first tried smoking using menthol cigarettes, 86% currently use menthol cigarettes and 60% are less likely to quit smoking compared to those who smoke non-menthol cigarettes.

Black History Month, and every month, is an opportunity for healthcare professionals to provide their Black and African Americans patients who use menthol products with information and access to free cessation support by providing referrals to the NYS Quitline for coaching and medications.

Healthcare professionals can also facilitate access to all the Quitline's free services, which include personal coaching by calling 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) or visiting nysmokefree.com to reach a specialist through chat, text or scheduled contact. The NYS Quitline website also offers an option to order free nicotine replacement therapy medications as well as registration for free text-support programs.

The NYS Quitline's website furthermore offers a tailored interactive workshop to help quit menthol products. Quit Coaches remain ready seven days a week to provide free and personalized support for Black and African Americans – and all who call New York State home – to become tobacco-free and live healthier lives.

* The term tobacco throughout this press release refers to the use of manufactured, combustible commercial products and vape products – not the sacred, medicinal and traditional use of tobacco by Native American nations and other Indigenous groups.

About the New York State Quitline

The New York State Quitline is a service supported by the New York State Department of Health and based at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, N.Y. It is one of the first and busiest state quitlines in the nation and has responded to nearly 3 million calls since it began operating in 2000. The Quitline encourages those who use commercial tobacco and electronic/vape products to talk with their healthcare professionals and access available Medicaid or health insurance benefits for medication support. Confidential texting programs with weekly guidance for skill-building are available by texting QUITNOW (English) or DÉJELO YA NY (Spanish) to 333888 or by visiting www.DropTheVape.org. All those who live in New York State can contact the Quitline seven days a week for free coaching and resources by calling 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) or by visiting www.nysmokefree.com.

About Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

From the world's first chemotherapy research to the PSA prostate cancer biomarker, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center generates innovations that shape how cancer is detected, treated and prevented worldwide. The Roswell Park team of 4,000+ makes compassionate, patient-centered cancer care and services accessible across New York State and beyond. Rated "Exceptional" by the National Cancer Institute, Roswell Park, founded in 1898, was one of the first NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country and remains the only one in Upstate New York. To learn more about Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Roswell Park Care Network, visit www.roswellpark.org, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or email ASKRoswell@roswellpark.org.