Today is national Kick Butts Day, a day which helps to raise awareness of the problem of tobacco use and encourages America’s youth to reject tobacco marketing and stay tobacco-free. First held in 1996, the campaign has gone on to build advocacy for public policies that prevent kids from smoking and help smokers quit the habit. This year, more than 1,000 events are set to occur on Kick Butts Day in schools and communities across the nation.
These events are still in demand in the battle to end this deadly habit. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2014, an estimated 16.8% (40.0 million) U.S. adults were current* cigarette smokers. It’s with that knowledge that SUNY stands behind the tobacco-free effort in order to make campus environments as healthy and safe as they can be. From the beginning, our Power of SUNY strategic plan has included in it SUNY and a Healthier NY, which recognizes that the health of New Yorkers is essential to the state’s economic success. Tobacco-free SUNY is helping us reach our goals of a healthier generation.
Currently, over 70% of SUNY’s state-operated institutions are in some stage of tobacco-free policy implementation with over 20% of SUNY’s state operated institutions and over 40% of SUNY’s community colleges having implemented tobacco-free policies already.
Many SUNY campuses now have resources available locally that provide support to those looking to quit tobacco. From online support groups to walk-in clinics, these resources help students and faculty/staff meet their tobacco-free goals. Some examples of campus resources for quitting include:
- SUNY Cortland – Need Help Quitting resources
- Stony Brook University – Tobacco-Free Resources for Employees and Students
- Suffolk County Community College – Proud To Be Tobacco-Free
So today, and the rest of the year for that matter, support a healthier community around you and join in the effort to Kick Butts. Share your efforts on social media using #iKickButts or by uploading a photo to the iKickButts photo generator. Together, we can all make our local communities a part of a Healthier NY.
Help Resources
For those looking for help in trying to quit and become tobacco-free, there are many statewide and national resources that offer help and support in your effort.
NEW YORK STATE SMOKERS QUIT LINE
The New York State Department of Health Tobacco Control Program
1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487)
www.nysmokefree.com
THE CENTER FOR SMOKING CESSATION AT SETON HEALTH, ST. PETER’S HEALTH PARTNERS
518-459-2550
www.quitsolutions.org
I’M READY TO QUIT
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1-800-QUIT-NOW
1-800-784-8669
or in Spanish:
1-855-DÉJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569)
www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/?gclid=CNOjreSV98gCFUyPHwodAcAGKw
GUIDE TO QUITTING SMOKING
American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org/healthy/stayawayfromtobacco/guidetoquittingsmoking/index
QUITTER’S CIRCLE
American Lung Association
www.quitterscircle.com
