The New York State Quitline (NYS Quitline), in commemoration of its 25 years of public health service, has an added incentive this summer to encourage people who smoke or vape to become tobacco-free.
Through a “quit-and-win contest,” one randomly selected grand prize winner will receive $2,500 —10 additional winners will each receive $250. Those who are willing to commit to becoming and staying tobacco-free for the first 25 days in August must register at nysmokefree.com/contest to be eligible.
The prizes are made possible by a generous donation from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, the NYS Quitline’s physical location. The NYS Quitline invites those who smoke or vape daily (e.g., five or more days a week) to register online and receive assistance from the NYS Quitline this summer to prepare for a successful quit attempt with the help of the program’s free coaching and medications.
“Financial incentives can be effective motivation for quit-attempts,” said Paula Celestino, co-founder of the NYS Quitline. “We encourage people to sign up early and prepare themselves for the 25-day challenge. This includes speaking with one of our Tobacco Treatment Specialists to discuss triggers, develop a plan and order a free starter kit of nicotine replacement therapy medications such as patches, gum or lozenges. The ultimate hope, of course, is for people to remain tobacco-free well beyond August 25.”
“The best incentive to quit smoking, ultimately, is improving your health — but the Quitline contest is the cherry on top for people looking to become tobacco free,” said Brielle Carnright, tobacco project coordinator at The Heart Network in Saranac Lake, which facilitates North Country Nicotine Consultants in Northern New York. “We hope North Country residents will add their names to the list and join other New Yorkers looking to quit this summer.”
Contest organizers will verify winner eligibility through a mailed saliva testing kit to determine tobacco-free status. Only one entry per person is allowed. All entrants must reside in New York State and be at least 18 years of age. Anyone seeking assistance to become tobacco-free may contact the NYS Quitline by calling 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487). They can also visit nysmokefree.com to reach a specialist through an online chat, request a call-back or order free nicotine replacement therapy medications.
The NYS Quitline additionally offers a free text-support program by texting QUITNOW (English) or DÉJELO YA NY (Spanish) to 333888. Through this quit-and-win contest, the NYS Quitline aims to stay busy during the summer months, which historically are slower for state quitlines across the nation. But more importantly, contest organizers seek to continue their mission since the year 2000: helping as many people in New York State as possible become tobacco-free and live healthier, longer lives.
North Country Nicotine Consultants (NCNC), a collaboration of The Heart Network and Glens Falls Hospital, promotes evidence-based resources to medical and behavioral healthcare providers. NCNC encourages proactive dialogue between providers and patients, as this can increase a person’s chances of quitting successfully by up to 30 percent. To learn more about NCNC, or to learn about local tobacco cessation resources in northern New York, contact Brielle Carnright atbcarnright@heartnetwork.org. To learn more about The Heart Network, visit heartnetwork.org.
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