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

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 12/2/2024 3:41 PM

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

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