The lower your income in New York state, the more likely you are to be in the grip of commercial tobacco, which the state defines as tobacco used in manufactured, combustible products, as well as vape products, and not the leaf used in sacred, medicinal and traditional rituals by Native American nations and other indigenous groups.
Those with annual household incomes of $25,000 or less smoke cigarettes at higher rates and experience more severe health consequences from smoking. According to the latest data from 2021, adults in New York state with lower incomes smoke cigarettes the most, even compared to other factors, such as educational attainment, race/ethnicity and employment status. One in five (20.4%) adults in New York state with annual household incomes of $25,000 or less currently smokes, compared to approximately one in eight adults (12.0%) overall. This despite a pack of cigarettes costing $13.
Those with lower incomes in New York state also contact the New York State Quitline the most for free resources and support. During the final three months of 2023, 59.4% of NY Quitline participants reported having annual household incomes of $30,000 or less – the highest such level since 2019.
“We know most people who smoke want to quit,” said Paula Celestino, the NY Quitline’s director of client relations and outreach. “The NY Quitline, which offers free support and stop-smoking medications, is a lifeline for many – especially those who need it most. Although we experience a relatively high percentage of participants who report having lower incomes, many encounter barriers to reach us for help. Through new programs and services in development, we aim to significantly increase the number of people we serve who face financial challenges and tobacco-related health inequities. Many people who have lower incomes also identify as being members of one or more minoritized groups.”
Celestino and her colleagues, based at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, will assist community-based organizations and community health-care programs through a new online platform. Heart, Love & Soul, a social services agency in Niagara Falls, is one of the first organizations to adopt the model, which more easily connects people to free NY Quitline services at the point-of-care.
“For guests who visit us – whether for a warm meal, health-care services, referrals for housing assistance or more – many of them smoke but want to quit,” said Lori Baeumler, community health nurse for Heart, Love & Soul. “Being able to share with them what’s available for free through the NY Quitline and register them for services is a real benefit. This program makes it easy for our guests to learn how to get free resources and starts them on a path to make a quit-attempt.”
More details about the NY Quitline’s new program will be forthcoming later in 2024. Beyond its assistance for community-based organizations, the NY Quitline continues to provide robust support for health-care professionals to treat patients and clients. Tools include free educational materials available for download or mail order, on-demand webinars, customized technical assistance and more.
Anyone may contact the NY Quitline by calling 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) seven days a week. They can also visit nysmokefree.com to connect with a specialist through an online chat, request a call-back or order free nicotine replacement therapy medications. The NY Quitline also offers Learn2QuitNY, a free texting program to quit smoking or vaping, by texting QUITNOW to 333888.
