Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYC To Casual Smokers: Quit Or Die!
By
Garth Johnston
Published Dec 30, 2011
Modified Dec 30, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Dec 30, 2011
Modified Dec 30, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Smoking, Nanny Bloomberg likes to remind us, will kill you. But don't think that your "I only smoke bummed ciggies at parties" routine makes you safe. Oh, no. The Department of Health wants you to know YOU COULD STILL DIE. So they're launching a print and TV campaign to help "light smokers" become "nonsmokers." Because you don't want to die, do you?
According to the city "light smokers" (who smoke less than 10 a day) make up 34 percent of the city's smoking population. But:
Like heavier smokers, light smokers are at an increased risk of smoking-related death and disease, such as heart attack, stroke, aneurysm and some cancers. Adults who smoke even one to four cigarettes per day have nearly three times the risk for heart disease than that of a non-smoker. Another study in Tobacco Control found that women light smokers, ages 35 to 49, are five times more likely than nonsmokers to develop lung cancer. Men have 3 times the risk. Research also points to an increased risk of mortality for light smokers compared with non-smokers. Among women, in fact, light smokers had a 4- to 6-year average loss of life compared to non-smokers.
You hear that ladies? Those casual puffs are especially killing you. But it does't have to be so (if you don't want it to). So, through January 15, the city is doing one of its regular free patch and gum programs, this time aimed at the light smoker set. To get yours, call 311 or go click here. Beyond the print ads, the DOH made another commercial for this campaign (not yet online), anyone seen it yet?
Tagged
doh
mayor bloomberg
nicotine patches
patchees
quit
smoking
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
New apartments are coming and there’s nothing these 12 neighborhoods can do to stop it
The Mamdani administration released a list of 12 community districts subject to a “fast-track” housing approval process first initiated by his predecessor.
By
David Brand
Published Oct 1, 2026 at 12:05 a.m. ET
Man fatally stabbed on J train in Queens, NYPD says
A 59-year-old man was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police said a person of interest was in custody.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Man fatally stabbed on J train in Queens, NYPD says
A 59-year-old man was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police said a person of interest was in custody.
By
Giulia Heyward
NYC delivery workers fear e-bike bills would bring more police stops, racial profiling
By
Carol Chen
Fake QR codes on Manhattan parking meters lead to identity theft charges
By
Charles Lane
Fare hike for NYC Ferry going into effect next month
By
Elizabeth Kim
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .