FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SMOKE NO MORE!
THE GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT IS NOVEMBER 20

New Study at the Smoking Cessation Clinic at NYSPI/Columbia is Recruiting Hispanics, African-Americans and Asians

New York, NY – If you’re a smoker you now know that there are fewer places to smoke now that New York’s anti-smoking laws are in effect. Though television shows like Whoopi Goldberg’s have made the plight of smokers a running gag, the consequences of smoking are no joking matter. But, despite numerous attempts to quit, many smokers, particularly minorities, are unable to beat their addiction.

According to researchers at the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI) and Columbia University, minority smokers have an even harder time quitting because tobacco is heavily marketed to their communities. Yet, very little research has been done on smoking in minority areas.

A new study underway at NYSPI is actively recruiting Hispanic, Asian and African-American smokers. According to Dr. Lirio Covey, who heads the Smoking Cessation Clinic at NYSPI, “Although several effective treatments for smokers have been developed—such as the nicotine replacement products and Zyban—it is difficult to get data that would point to treatments that would reduce the prevalence of addiction to nicotine and tobacco in racial/ethnic minorities,” said Dr. Covey.

Smokers, who participate in cessation research at NYSPI will be offered free treatment with Zyban, the nicotine patch, and counseling to help them stop smoking and avoid relapse. .

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