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COVID-19Another way to protect yourself –
quit smoking and vaping

Whether you're a current or former cigarette smoker, your risk of severe illness from COVID-19 increases. Public Health Agencies like the FDA and CDC agree: quitting smoking and/or vaping offers added protection from COVID-19.

Why?

COVID-19 is an illness that impacts the respiratory system (nose, throat, lungs). Symptoms include shortness of breath, fever, and cough.

Smoking damages your lungs, which can increase the risk of infection and severity of respiratory illnesses. Smoking may also lead to a weakened immune system, which may make it easier to become sick or complicate and extend recovery time.


There is also serious concern for those who vape because the lungs may be exposed to damaging aerosols and toxic chemicals.

What can I do?

Try to quit smoking or vaping. When you quit, you can help your lungs be as healthy as possible to fight the COVID-19 virus.
Follow CDC guidelines to prevent COVID-19:

Clean your hands often
Avoid close contact
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
Cover coughs and sneezes
Clean and disinfect

Help is available.

Quitting is hard. If you are stressed or anxious, you’re not alone. Trained Quit Coaches will work with you to find ways to manage stress or anxiety without smoking or vaping. You CAN do this.

For help to quit smoking or vaping, talk with a Quit Coach –
Call
Chat
Text

Resources

CDC

Information surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic is changing frequently. For the latest information, including symptoms, testing, prevention, and coping please

visit the CDC's website

NYS Department of Health

For additional resources, information, and the latest state-specific updates, visit the


NYS DOH website
More for you –

How to quit
Quit-smoking medications
Managing stress
Last updated 12/9/2021 8:58 AM
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Questions

Need help or have questions?
Contact us

Not insured?

Check out the New York State of Health:
nystateofhealth.ny.gov

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News, program updates, and support to quit:


Hours of operation
Mon-Thurs 9AM-9PM, Fri-Sun 9AM-5PM. Chat and text support may vary from the hours above based on request volume and coach availability. For immediate support, please call during operational hours.
People identifying as Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Speech Impaired
Please call the NY Relay Service at 7-1-1 (Voice or TTY), and provide the operator with the Quitline number 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487).
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If you have questions or concerns about the accessibility of any part of this website, please contact us at support@nysmokefree.com.


Developed by Roswell Park Cessation Services for the NYS Smokers' Quitline. Located in Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14203. *NYS Quitline logo cannot be reproduced without permission. Privacy.




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