BREWSTER, NY—The Great American Smokeout is here, a good time to think about quitting. Nicotine, the stimulant found in tobacco products, is not only highly addictive, but also contributes to some of the leading causes of death and disease worldwide. So quitting tobacco or vaping is one of the best things someone can do for their health.

Unfortunately, Putnam residents are smoking more, with rates jumping from 8.2 percent in 2019 to 14.7 percent in 2021. Research has shown that 90 to 95 percent of people who try to quit on their own resume the habit within a year. To bring people together and help with a jump start to quit is the reason that the American Cancer Society has hosted the Great American Smokeout for more than 40 years. It is traditionally held on the third Thursday of November.

“Because of its quick acting effects on the brain, defeating nicotine dependence may not be easy, but it is possible,” says Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD, interim health commissioner. “Most successful quitters have had previous attempts before they are finally able to quit. That is why the health department encourages participants in our smoking cessation programs to talk about their history of quit attempts. Each attempt is one step closer to successful nicotine independence.”

Recent Putnam specific data on youth vaping comes from the Prevention Council of Putnam, which conducts a needs assessment every two years in schools. The last three surveys have shown a clear preference for vaping over cigarette usage, and while the proportion of those who had ever used e-cigarettes decreased from 28.6 in 2018 to 15.6 percent in 2022, the potential for addiction is high and so there is still much work to be done.

To reduce youth vaping numbers further, Public Health Corps fellows and staff at the Putnam County Department of Health are developing a traveling vape display which complements the Escape the Vape^® program, a promising practice that they have been conducting in the schools for more than a year.

“The program is interactive with puzzles and clues to learn about the risks of nicotine and vaping,” explains Alyce Bilello, one of the Public Health Fellows at the health department. “We find that it is super important to have activities for the students. Lecturing at them for 45 minutes is not an effective way to keep their attention or convey a message.”

The one-day Great American Smokeout scheduled officially for November 21 offers anyone addicted to nicotine an opportunity to think about or begin a plan to break free from the substance. “Some may decide to quit for the day, and then go on to quit for good,” says Dr. Nesheiwat. Anyone who wants to quit smoking or vaping can use the day to learn about the vast available resources on the American Cancer Society’s website among others. They can begin to a make a plan to quit or they can initiate a smoking-free day to kick off a longer-term effort.

Long-term success requires not only personal commitment, but also time and a plan. In addition, social support and educational tools are part of the quitting process. When it comes to youth vaping in particular, these resources have been limited. This situation should improve with the more than $13 million dollars in funding that was announced last June to combat youth vaping in the Hudson Valley. Putnam County will receive just over half a million dollars from these funds to be distributed after the multi-state settlement from JUUL Labs Inc, for its role in the youth vaping epidemic. When funds become available, the health department will launch the evidenced-based  “Not On Tobacco^®,” designed for 14- to 19-year-olds. It builds on the success of the industry gold-standard quit program for adults, Freedom from Smoking^®, which the health department already offers free for Putnam residents several times a year. Both programs have been developed by the American Lung Association and more information is available on them at www.Lung.org/ffs or https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/helping-teens-quit/not-on-tobacco.

Other support available to residents includes telephone quit lines; smoking or vaping counselors, coaches, or support groups; nicotine anonymous meetings; self-help books and materials, and encouragement and support from family and friends. Research has shown that using two or more methods of support works best for permanent cessation. 

Geared to youth and vaping, another quit resource comes from the Truth Initiative ^®, America’s largest nonprofit public health organization committed to preventing youth and young adult nicotine addiction and empowering quitting for all. It is a free, confidential and anonymous text support program called “Drop the Vape,” designed for young people aged 13 to 24 in New York State. It is available 24/7 by texting DROPTHEVAPE to 88709.

The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community. The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) through 2029, serves a community composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services are provided through a lens of equity, and include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit the County website at www.putnamcountyny.gov, or visit our social media sites on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram @PutnamHealthNY.

• For more information about the Great American Smokeout and planning your own quit day: Visit https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/tobacco/guide-quitting-smoking/deciding-to-quit-smoking-and-making-a-plan.html
• For more information about the Freedom From Smoking^® program, or to be placed on a waiting list: Call the health department at (845) 808-1390 ext. 43155.
• For information about an online Freedom From Smoking^® program, if a group setting is not right for your quit: Visit www.Lung.org/ffs