Countless Central New Yorkers have used the New York State Quitline to help kick the smoking habit. In 25 years, it's grown exponentially, and evolved to include texting and assistance in multiple languages.
To hear founding member Paula Celestino describe it, the quitline had a rather humble beginning in 2000.
“We were a basic service with a handful of information specialists using pen and paper to document our caller activity," Celestino said. "We provided local resources, mailed out self-help materials, and we would cheer on those embarking on their quit journey.”
Andrew Hyland directs the quitline and is also a tobacco control research scientist at the Roswell Park Cancer Center in Buffalo.
“Fast forward a couple million calls later and here we are, 25 years and counting," Hyland said. "Cigarette smoking rates are coming down, but there are still about 1.5 million people who smoke in New York State.”
Smoking rates in New York are among the lowest in the nation, but he says they’re watching the latest trend.
“We see increasing number of people, especially young people looking for help to quit vaping or other tobacco products, and we have programs and services for these people too," Hyland said. "The common ingredient is that these products is a nicotine and how it's chemically engineered to make these products, especially addictive.”
Nicotine in cigarettes is how Bruce Gonka of Lewiston got hooked in 1970. He says he called the quitline because he didn't want his granddaughter to think he smelled funny.
“I said I need some help. I don't know what to do. I've done it hundreds of times and it just never works," Gonka said. "So they set me up with some patches. They gave me some gum. They gave me some sympathy. They gave me someone to talk to. And that was the key...someone to text me every day, saying 'how you doing today? Anything we need to do to help you out?' It was great. I had a friend that I didn't even know I had.”
Gonka says he’s been smoke free for a year and a half, and can walk six miles without getting winded. The quitline also includes chats and texting, as well as assistance in several languages.
The quitline number is 1-866-NY-QUITS.
