By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – A new public health program was unveiled Tuesday to help people quit smoking. It's called "Ex." The Roswell Park Cancer Institute is partnering with the American Legacy Foundation on the program.
Chair of Health Behavior at RPCI Dr. Michael Cummings says it was designed by smokers who have actually quit to help others to the same thing. Cummings says people interested in "Ex" should call a toll-free number, 1-800-QUIT-NOW, to get started.
"We provide free patches, gum or nicotene lozenges to eligible smokers who call our 'quit line,'" Cummings said. "We know that the combination of counseling and (drug) therapy will help people quit."
Right now, Cummings says, more than 70 percent of smokers want to quit, but only five percent succeed in doing so each year.
Buffalo is one of four cities that will be a test market for the "Ex" campaign. It will include a series of TV ads.