Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. One in two long-term smokers will die from a smoking-related disease. It’s hard to quit smoking, but you can do it.

Don't you think it's time to put and end to it?

These warnings mark the first change in cigarette warnings in more than 25 years and are a significant advancement in communicating the dangers of smoking.  The introduction of these warnings is expected to have a significant public health impact by decreasing the number of smokers, resulting in lives saved, increased life expectancy, and lower medical costs.

Look inside a cigarette. There are over 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke and at least 69 of those chemicals are known to cause cancer. 

Get the facts:

• Each year tobacco use kills over 430,000 American smokers.
• More than 3,000 smokers start smoking everyday.
• Smoking causes lung cancer, cancers of the lip, throat, larynx, bladder, pancreas, stomach, kidney and cervix, heart disease and stroke, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Need Help?

Don't go it alone. Quitting smoking is hard on your own. It often takes smokers many attempts before quitting. Maybe you have been thinking about quitting. Maybe you have already quit and have some helpful tips to share.  Maybe you are trying to quit right now. Want help quitting? Go no further than your own backyard.

NY State is doubling your chances of quitting by offering free Nicotine Replacement Patches. See if you are eligible for a free starter kit.

Take the Smoke-free Home Pledge now. The pledge is designed to protect millions of America's children from the risks of secondhand smoke in their own homes. Keeping your home and car smoke-free may not always be easy, but it is something you can do to protect children's health.

What to do when craving nicotine. The 5D’s:

• Delay smoking when you get the urge. It will pass.
• Drink water, chew gum or have a healthy snack to fight cravings.
• Do something else to distract yourself. Take a walk, call a friend, keep your hands busy by doing chores or squeezing a rubber ball.
• Deep breathing will relax you. Close your eyes and take 10 slow deep breaths or meditate.
• Discuss your thoughts and feelings with someone close to you.