Tobacco-Free PATH Smoking Cessation Program

Our Tobacco-Free PATH program offers the Quit For Life® program brought to you by the American Cancer Society and Alere Wellbeing. This program provides members** 18 years of age and older who join the program with the following services:

• Help in developing a quit plan by phone from trained quit-smoking experts.
• 24/7 phone support.
• Educational materials by mail.
• Access to the Quit for Life® Web site at www.quitnow.net.
• Full coverage for smoking cessation medications including the nicotine patch, gum and lozenge, bupropion (generic Zyban®) and Chantix®. Make sure to talk to your doctor about which medication is right for you.

As part of our program, we encourage our network doctors to help our members stop smoking. This way, your health care team is also on your side as you try to break the habit.

To join our program, call 1-866-611-QUIT (1-866-611-7848), 24 hours a day, seven days a week. TDD users should call
1-877-777-6534.

HIP Members:
** All Medicaid and Family Health Plus members should call the New York State Smokers' Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS
(1-866-697-8487).

GHI Members:
** All Hotel Employees Restaurant Employees International Union (HEREIU) and the City of New York PPO (employees and retirees) should call the New York State Smokers' Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487). Non-residents of New York State can call the National Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).

Vytra Members:
** Only New York City employees and their dependents are eligible for this program. All other members should call the New York State Smokers' Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487).

Full Coverage for Smoking Cessation (Quit Smoking) Medications

Choosing a medication and working with a counselor to help you quit should greatly increase your chances of quitting, as well as reduce your withdrawal symptoms.

Many people find drug therapy to be helpful as part of their quit smoking program. You may want to choose the nicotine patch, nicotine gum or nicotine lozenge. These Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) may be used along with the prescription medications bupropion (generic Zyban®) or Chantix®. Your doctor can help you decide which medication(s) is best for you.

Once you join the Tobacco-Free PATH program, you will be eligible to receive smoking cessation medications at no cost to you. Important information about these medications follows:

• Nicotine Patch, Gum or Lozenge: The nicotine patch, gum or lozenge can be sent directly to you by the Quit for Life® program upon request.
• Bupropion (generic Zyban®) and Chantix® are prescription products. You need to visit your doctor to discuss whether bupropion (generic Zyban®) or Chantix® is right for you. If it is, your doctor will give you a prescription.
• What is Zyban®?
  Zyban®, a brand name for bupropion, is a prescription medication which can help ease withdrawal symptoms and the urge to smoke. Bupropion is also used to treat depression. However, you do not have to be depressed to take bupropion for smoking cessation. Bupropion is started while you are still smoking, with your quit-smoking date set for a week later.
• What is Chantix®?
  Chantix® is a prescription medication which can help you stop smoking. You can start taking Chantix® one week before your quit smoking date. You can continue smoking during this time. Most people will keep taking Chantix® for up to 12 weeks. If you have completely quit smoking by 12 weeks, ask your doctor if another 12 weeks of treatment may help you stay quit.

New York State Smokers’ Quitline

The New York State Department of Health runs a toll-free Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487). New York City residents may call 311. The Quitline offers two telephonic counseling sessions and a two-week supply of NRT (nicotine patch, gum or lozenge) for those who qualify. The Quitline sends progress reports regarding tobacco use to your doctor. It also provides information about local smoking cessation programs offered through organizations in your community. For more information, visit the New York State Smokers' Quitline online.

If you want more information about quitting, the following resources can help:

• Alerewellbeing.com or call 1-866-611-QUIT (1-866-611-7848)
• New York State Smokers' Quitline or call 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487)
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
• American Lung Association
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
• Smokefree.gov
• QuitNet
• North Shore Long Island Jewish Center for Tobacco Control