Second Year Anniversary of New York's Tobacco-Free Initiative Proves Promising - Saving More Lives

ALBANY, NY (07/23/2010)(readMedia)-- On July 24, 2007, state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo announced a first in the nation initiative that all prevention, treatment and recovery programs in New York would be going tobacco-free. At the time, this was the boldest public health initiative in the addiction field in the entire country. The facts were clear, while the smoking rate in New York is 18.2 percent, it is as high as 92 percent among the 1.8 million New Yorkers who are dealing with alcoholism and drug addiction. Today, on the second year anniversary of the regulation, the results speak for themselves.

Over 90 percent of programs are in compliance with the current tobacco-free regulation, and nearly 23,000 people have stopped smoking. The results from quitting start immediately, with dramatic improvements between the first and ninth month of an individual's health. A U.S. Surgeon General's Report noted that during this time, circulation and lung function improves, blood pressure drops, and coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath all decrease. Also cilia regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce infection. The health benefits continue to build the longer an individual remains tobacco-free. The U.S. Surgeon General's Report noted that individuals who remain tobacco-free reduce their risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidneys, and pancreas.

It is never too late to quit smoking. Tobacco-related health risks are significantly reduced within a few years of stopping smoking, even if a person has smoked for years. A smoker who quits, reduces his or her risk of developing smoking-related heart disease, stroke, cancer, and emphysema. Immediately upon quitting, former smokers' blood circulation increases, their blood pressure and heart rate quickly return to normal, and the carbon monoxide and oxygen levels in the blood soon return to normal. Within a few days of quitting, a person's breathing becomes easier and their sense of smell and taste improve.

Governor David A. Paterson said, "New York is a national leader in prevention, and this first-of-its-kind tobacco-free initiative is preventing not only addiction, but the negative consequences caused by tobacco addiction. This regulation was the right thing to do and what we are seeing so far, proves it."

Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo said, "On the second year anniversary of the tobacco-free initiative, we are making a difference here in New York in the lives of the 110,000 patients treated each day and 35,000 staff and volunteers who work in the OASAS system. We knew that tobacco independence would not be easy and that cultural change would take time. Thanks to the support and leadership within the 1,550 certified OASAS programs across the state, we are seeing tremendous progress in the long-term recovery of individuals and in turn, saving lives."

"Enacting tobacco-free regulations in OASAS prevention and treatment programs was a bold step to save the lives of many New Yorkers," New York State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., said. "Integrating tobacco dependence interventions into chemical dependence treatment programs improves treatment outcomes for other addictions. By addressing tobacco addiction when people are seeking help recovering from other addictions, they not only reduce the likelihood that they will die from a tobacco-related illness, but their recovery from other addictions will likely be more successful. "

Scott A., treatment client, stated, "I expect to be leaving treatment in mid-November and look forward to restarting my life being clean, sober and tobacco-free while addressing my mental health issues."

Joseph P., OASAS treatment provider, said, "A team approach has been taken with every department. Overall, the effort had presented us with a challenge, but we are seeing rewards when people get ready to leave and are proud of what they have accomplished."

Cathy P., OASAS treatment provider, said, "Although I had been very concerned about the negative impact on our business, I am greatly relieved that this has not been the case to date. In addition, I am encouraged by the review of our statistics since it appears we have had a positive impact on our patients making a decision for nicotine cessation. As most of us in addiction treatment know, those patients who are tobacco users have a higher rate of relapse to their original drug of choice. We know tobacco use cessation will improve the treatment outcomes of our patients."

In recognition of OASAS as a national pioneer in addressing tobacco in the addiction services system, Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo was recently honored with the IAWARD (Innovation Award) in Behavioral Healthcare Services for the Tobacco-Free System Change at the 2010 National State Associations of Addictions Services (SAAS) Conference and NIATx Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio.

OASAS continues to work with stakeholders to coordinate learning opportunities. Two new training videos are being produced to assist clients and staff in understanding and implementing tobacco-free lifestyles. The training DVDs are funded by the state Department of Health.

New Yorkers looking for assistance quitting smoking are urged to talk to their Doctor or contact the New York State Smokers Quitline for free help. The Quitline provides free coaching and quit plans, free nicotine patches, free tips and information, and free online help. The Quitline phone number is 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487). The Quitline's web address is www.nysmokefree.com.

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services systems dedicated to Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, with more than 1,550 programs serving over 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day. Through efforts such as the Your Story Matters campaign at www.iamrecovery.com, the agency hopes to foster a movement of recovery, one that sheds the stigma and promotes a life of health and wellness.

Addiction is a chronic disease, but New Yorkers need to know that help and hope is available. Individuals can get help by calling the state's toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day a week HOPEline, 1-877-8-HOPENY, staffed by trained clinicians ready to answer questions, help refer loved ones to treatment and provide other vital resources to facilitate that first step into recovery.

For more information, please visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.

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