SYRACUSE—Just as thousands of people vow to quit tobacco in the new year, the Central New York Regional Center for Tobacco Health Systems at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center announces it is the recipient of a $3 million grant to help people “kick the habit”. This funding from the New York State Department of Health ensures the hospital will remain focused on its tobacco cessation efforts for at least the next five years.
The Regional Center for Tobacco Health Systems provides support and assistance to area healthcare providers in their efforts to help patients quit tobacco. The Center offers educational sessions for physicians and staff, patient education materials and assistance to health care organizations as they initiate and continue tobacco-free grounds and treatment policies.
The Department of Health awarded two grants to the Center which means the Center will focus its efforts on a larger14-county geographical area – from the Pennsylvania state line to the Canadian border.
“We are very excited to have the State’s support once again,” said Christopher Owens, MS, C.A.S. HSMP, director of the Central New York Regional Center for Tobacco Health Systems. “We will use these grants to focus on policy change and adoption at healthcare organizations, especially at federally qualified health clinics and in mental health settings.”
According to the State Health Department experts, studies show that up to half of all smokers will die prematurely as a result of their addiction, losing an average of 14 years of life. People who quit smoking dramatically decrease their chance of dying early from tobacco-related diseases.
The Central New York Regional Center for Tobacco Health Systems at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center has held similar grants since 2004.