State Helping Smokers to Quit

Important news for smokers in the Garden State:  The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) has expanded and extended its free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) program.  NRTs, including quit smoking patches or nicotine replacement gum, are available to any New Jersey smoker age 18 and over while supplies last.

 To take advantage of this special offer, smokers must enroll with the New Jersey Quitline by calling 1-866-NJSTOPS.  Enrolled smokers will receive an eight week supply of free NRT and up to five free counseling sessions with a quit smoking coach.

 The NJDHSS is working in partnership with other agencies to reach populations throughout the state to promote this exclusive, limited time offer for free NRT.  Informational palm cards and posters are available. 

For more information, contact Cathy Butler at cbutler@snjpc.org or call 856-675-5289.

 NJ Quitline, (1-866-NJSTOPS) is a free confidential and multilingual telephone-based counseling and referral service for smokers who are ready to quit smoking.  Highly trained Quit Coaches® are available seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m.  The Quit Coach works with each client to develop an individualized treatment plan including the use of NRT, customized support, and follow-up.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, using Quitline services are 60% more effective than trying to quit smoking without assistance.

 For more information on how the NJ Quitline service works, visit www.njquitline.org.