Roswell Park Hosts Regional Launch of Television Campaign

The NYS Department of Health (DOH) gave Western New Yorkers a look at its new campaign highlighting the price smokers pay for their addiction at a new ad campaign highlighting the price smokers pay for their addiction. The 30 second spots which began August 1 urge smokers to call the NYS Quitline. The campaign was funded by a federal grant that illustrate the physical impacts that two longtime smokers suffered as a result of tobacco use. Representatives from the American Heart Association (AHA) joined with the Tobacco Cessation Center and DOH for the launch of the campaign, highlighting the connections between smoking and heart disease. Dr. Michael D. Banas, a cardiologist with Buffalo Heart Group, said that quitting is the number-one thing a smoker can do for his or her health. He said cigarette smoking increases the risk of coronary heart disease by itself. When it acts with other factors such as high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, obesity and diabetes it greatly increases risk. The Quitline, 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) is a free resource available to all New York State residents, and offers a range of services including a free starter kit of nicotine patches and trained Quitline specialists who help smokers develop quit plans. Call hours are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Friday through Sunday 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Taped messages offer support and help for quitting smoking during off hours, while the Smokers Quitsite, www.nysmokefree.com, is available 24 hours a day.