GREAT NECK, NY -- In 1999, doctors and nurses at North Shore University Hospital launched a small, internal, quality improvement project to encourage employees to quit smoking.  Since that time, the program has helped more than 4,000 people kick the habit. Now known as the North Shore-LIJ Center for Tobacco Control (CTC), the facility provides comprehensive smoking cessation services at its offices at 225 Community Drive in Great Neck.

 Recently, several dozen graduates of the CTC’s smoking cessation program and staff members gathered during a weekly support group to celebrate the program’s 10th anniversary.  “Research shows that smokers are most successful in quitting smoking when they have assistance, such as nicotine replacement products, prescription medication to lessen cravings, counseling, and the encouragement of friends, families and professionally-run support groups,” said Patricia Folan, RN, director of the CTC.

 Recognizing the program’s milestone was David Brown, 75, a retired aerospace engineer who quit smoking after more than 60 years, thanks to CTC’s smoking cessation expertise and support group.  “I tried quitting five or six times over the years and a few times I tried hypnosis,” said Mr. Brown.  “In addition to health concerns, I was motivated to quit smoking because I wanted to visit my granddaughter in London; I didn’t want to expose her to tobacco in any way,” he said. “Without the program I don’t think I could’ve stopped.”

 Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death, killing 25,500 New Yorkers and 430,000 Americans every year.  It’s estimated that there are more than 367,000 adult smokers on Long Island.  The CTC provides free community stop-smoking classes for the general public as well as military/law enforcement, patients with a variety of illnesses and North Shore-LIJ employees.  The CTC also trains healthcare practitioners about evidence-based ways to encourage patients to quit smoking and participates in clinical research about tobacco dependence.

 For more information, contact the Center for Tobacco Control at (516) 466-1980; or online at: www.northshorelij/stopsmoking .

Media contact: Betty Olt
516-465-2645
bolt@nshs.edu