The NYC Department of Health launched a new media campaign targeting "light" smokers (those smoking under 10 cigarettes per day) to inform them of the health risks of even light smoking. The campaign's TV ads will run from December 27 to January 15. To help light smokers quit, the Department is offering free nicotine gum through 311 and online. While light smokers may not consider themselves regular smokers, research shows they still face increased risks of heart disease, cancer, and earlier death compared to non-smokers.

1. New Public Health Media Campaign Describes Serious Health Risks from Smoking Even One Cigarette A Day 2/27/12 4:30 AM
This page is located on the NYC.gov Web site at
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/pr2011/pr033-11.shtml
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release # 033-11
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
MEDIA CONTACT: (347) 396-4177
Susan Craig/Chanel Caraway: Pressoffice@health.nyc.gov
New Public Health Media Campaign Describes Serious Health Risks from
Smoking Even One Cigarette A Day
Health Department kicks-off 3-week nicotine gum giveaway aimed at “light”
smokers
Dec. 27, 2011 – As part of the Bloomberg Administration’s ongoing effort to improve
the health of New Yorkers, the New York City Health Department next week will launch a
new TV campaign underscoring the health consequences of “light” smoking. This is the
Department’s first campaign specifically targeting light smokers – those who smoke
fewer than 10 cigarettes per day – with information on the dangerous health effects of
even light or casual smoking. The campaign, called “One Cigarette is One Too Many,”
contrasts people defending their light smoking with the grim realities of the well-
documented health effects from light smoking. One ad shows a woman under the quote,
“I only smoke when I take breaks at work…” followed by the warning, “She could still
have a heart attack.”
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2. New Public Health Media Campaign Describes Serious Health Risks from Smoking Even One Cigarette A Day 2/27/12 4:30 AM
“Even if you don’t think
of yourself as a smoker,
when you smoke even
one cigarette a day, you
are putting yourself at
risk for many serious and
potentially fatal health
problems,” said Health
Commissioner Dr.
Thomas Farley. “Quitting
smoking for good can
decrease your risk for
heart disease and cancer
and give you the best
shot at living a long,
healthy life. Help is
available. Call 311 or go
on-line to get free gum or
patches today.”
The 30-second TV ad will
run in English and
Spanish on all broadcast
and cable channels from
Dec. 27, 2011 through
Jan. 15, 2012. To
coincide with the
campaign, the Health
Department will offer
nicotine gum to eligible
smokers who smoke
fewer than 10 cigarettes
per day to help them quit through 311 and online (search nycquits on nyc.gov). Light
smokers make up 34% of all New York City’s daily smokers. Heavier smokers who are
interested in nicotine replacement therapy can still call 311 or 1-866-NYQUITS year
round for help with quitting.
Like heavier smokers, light smokers are at an increased risk of smoking-related death
and disease, such as heart attack, stroke, aneurysm and some cancers. Adults who
smoke even one to four cigarettes per day have nearly three times the risk for heart
disease than that of a non-smoker. Another study in Tobacco Control found that women
light smokers, ages 35 to 49, are five times more likely than nonsmokers to develop lung
cancer. Men have 3 times the risk. Research also points to an increased risk of mortality
for light smokers compared with non-smokers. Among women, in fact, light smokers had
a 4- to 6-year average loss of life compared to non-smokers.
Quitting can be tough, but nicotine patches and gum can double your chances of success.
Here are some tips to make quitting smoking easier:
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3. New Public Health Media Campaign Describes Serious Health Risks from Smoking Even One Cigarette A Day 2/27/12 4:30 AM
Prepare yourself. Make a list
of your reasons for quitting
and plan for situations that
may tempt you to smoke,
even one cigarette.
Pick a quit date. Get rid of
ashtrays and lighters, and all
cigarettes. Avoid purchasing
cigarettes and bumming them
from friends or co-workers.
Make your home and car
smoke-free. It is healthier for
others and will help you resist
smoking.
Get support and encouragement. Tell your family, friends, neighbors, and co-
workers that you are quitting and ask for their support.
Get a quit buddy. Ask a smoker to quit with you, or find someone who has already
quit who you can talk to for support.
Join an exercise group to substitute smoking with a healthy activity. Search
BeFitNYC on NYC.gov for a list of physical activity opportunities throughout the
city and ways you can Make NYC Your Gym.
More information on quitting smoking is available by searching for “NYC Quits” on
NYC.gov.
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