NYCHA FREE SMOKING CESSATION SESSION

New York City Housing Authority is starting a Smoking Cessation Program in housing projects. This program which is a pilot program is design to help housing tenants who want to stop smoking.and stay smoke free. The pilot program is part of New York City Housing Authority (Healthy Homes Program) to support public housing residents working to promote the environmental health of their homes. .NYCHA  is committed to improving access to information and resources that help residents who want to quit smoking.

Four NYCHA residents now know how to help their friends and neighbors stop smoking through training offered by the American Lung Association the resident joined three NYCHA employees in learning how to support smokers who want to quit.  They now are qualified to lead support groups that will meet for eight weeks sharing information on nicotine addiction and maintaing participant' motivation and commitment to quitting smoking.

Ms. Johnson and the other three resident-Micheal Eaddy From Red Hook West Houses, Doris McLaughlin from Oceanside Apartment at Queens, and Charlene Williams from Castle Hill Houses in the Bronx- will meet with residents in different parts of the city to impact as many people as possible.
 
" In low - income communities, many people don't visit the doctor often enough, " Ms. Johnson said "so it is very important to be proactive for people to preserve their health."

According to the American Lung Association, more than 392,00 People die from tobacco-caused disease every year int he United States, meaning it the leading cause of preventable death.  Smoking causes and contributes to heart disease Stroke, diabetes, emphysema, and lung and other cancers.  No matter how long someone has been smoking, quitting reduces the risk of developing these illnesses and improves overall health immediately.

And while smoking may not be visible as it used to be as the public smoking laws that were put in place over the past 10 years.  Ms. Johnson see a specific population at her development that she thinks could use some outreach. " you can't leave the building without seeing our younger population right there smoking " she said.
Quitting also can save money smoking a pack a day in New York City costs more than $4000 a year. Residents who want resources to help them stop smoking can call 311 or go to www.nyc.gov and search for "NYC Quits."

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Reference
the housing Authority Journal January/February 2014