MEDIA ADVISORY:  

NYC NO WORSE FOR WEAR ONE YEAR AFTER SMOKING BAN

WHO: Dr. Lirio Covey, Director, Smoking Cessation Clinic

WHAT: Smoking is still bad for your health

WHERE: New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive @ W. 165th St.

According to health officials, a year after the smoking ban took effect in New York City, restaurants and bars have seen an increase in jobs and patrons. This has led the Health Commissioner to declare the city a healthier place to live.

“This confirms what I thought all along,” said Dr. Lirio Covey of the New York State Psychiatric Institute. “The ban may have actually welcomed back non-smoking patrons who had avoided some restaurants and bars.” Dr. Covey, who continues to see a steady flow of smokers seeking to quit, hopes this news will quell some of people’s earlier fears and encourage would-be quitters to put down that cigarette once and for all.

The number of deaths each year from smoking is estimated to be 440,000. It is a major contributing factor in the development of heart disease and stroke. A 1998 CDC report found that among Black and White non-Hispanics over 18, 24% were smokers. Hispanic and Asian smokers numbered 18% and 15%, respectively.

Dr. Covey is currently recruiting Hispanic, Asian and African-American smokers for her Minority and other Underserved Smokers Treatment Research study. The clinic continues to offer smoking cessation treatment to all smokers hoping to beat their addiction to cigarettes and tobacco.

3/04

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