In 2000, New York State, supported by the New York State Department of Health and in collaboration with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (Roswell Park) in Buffalo, launched a minimal telephone service for those seeking guidance on becoming tobacco-free. This “quitline” quickly grew and evolved to become one of the nation’s busiest and most innovative public health support services.
Twenty-five years later, the New York State Quitline (NYS Quitline) continues to evolve and remains steadfast in its mission to ensure everyone who lives in New York State has access to free resources that will help them overcome addiction to commercial tobaccoproducts.
On Thursday, Roswell Park leadership, elected officials and the New York State Department of Health’s Bureau of Tobacco Control gathered to commemorate the NYS Quitline’s 25th anniversary.
Both Erie County and the City of Buffalo proclaimed the day as “New York State Quitline Day” for the program’s continued longevity and effectiveness. To further mark the commemoration, local landmarks such as Niagara Falls, the Peace Bridge and Buffalo Botanical Gardens were illuminated in orange and/or purple on Thursday and Friday.
“For 25 years, the New York State Quitline has been a vital part of our public health efforts to reduce tobacco use and improve the health of New Yorkers, and we are proud to celebrate its legacy and continued impact,” New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “This milestone is a testament to the Quitline’s unwavering commitment to helping people quit smoking and live longer, healthier lives.”
“It’s an honor and a privilege to support this work in partnership with the New York State Department of Health and to provide such a valuable, life-changing, public health service for all who live in New York State,” said Dr. Andrew Hyland, director of the NYS Quitline and chair of Health Behavior at Roswell Park. “Nevertheless, I hope we no longer need such services 25 years from now or even 10 years from now, as a result of drastically decreased sickness and death occurring from the use of commercial tobacco products.”
NYS Quitline is on pace to surpass 3 million calls in 2026 and mailed more than 1.2 million kits of free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) medications since instituting the practice in 2004. New York state standardized the mass distribution shipping process, creating a standard model for other state quitlines.
Officials estimate more than 600,000 people in New York State have become tobacco-free through the NYS Quitline’s services, which include not only free NRT medications but also individualized coaching and self-help materials. While fewer than 1 in 10 American adults achieve success upon trying to quit smoking, approximately 35 percent of NYS Quitline participants report continued abstinence upon a 7-month follow-up call by comparison.
During the press conference, NYS Quitline reminded attendees about its recently redesigned, mobile-first website at nysmokefree.com. In addition, they stressed the importance of the program’s new name since 2024: the New York State Quitline.
Until last year, the service was called the New York State Smokers’ Quitline. Officials dropped the word “Smokers’” to better reflect the program’s range of services, including treatment for those who use electronic nicotine delivery systems, commonly called vape products.
As always, anyone who lives in New York State may contact the NYS Quitline by calling 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487). They can also visit nysmokefree.com to reach a specialist through an online chat, request a call-back or order free nicotine replacement therapy medications.