Our Tobacco-Free Quit-Smoking program, in partnership with Roswell Park Cancer Institute, offers the Roswellness InhaleLife program. The program is available to you and your eligible health plan dependents at no extra cost* and is designed to help you quit smoking and tobacco use for good. Members, ages 18 and older who join our program, will receive the following services:
- One-on-one support in developing a quit plan by phone from quit-coach experts
- Educational materials
- Access to resources, information and downloadable material at quitquest.roswellpark.org
- Full coverage for smoking-cessation medicine (i.e., nicotine patch, gum, lozenges, bupropion (generic for Zyban®) and Chantix®). Be sure to talk to your doctor about which medicine is right for you.
To join this program, NY state residents please call 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487), non-NY residents please call 1-877-500-2393, Monday to Friday 8 am to 9 pm, Saturday, 9 am to 7 pm, and Sunday 9 am to 5 pm. TTY/TDD users should call 711. GHI NY City PPO (active and retirees) should call the National Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). Vytra Members: Only New York City employees and their dependents are eligible for this program. All other members should call the National Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).
Medicines to Quit Smoking are a Covered Benefit
You may find medicines and Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) helpful in your efforts to quit smoking and tobacco use. You may want to choose the nicotine patch, nicotine gum or nicotine lozenge. NRTs may be used along with the prescription medications bupropion (generic Zyban®) or Chantix®.
- Nicotine Patch, Gum or Lozenge: The nicotine patch, gum or lozenge can be sent directly to you upon request.
- Bupropion (generic for Zyban®) and Chantix® are prescription products. Talk to your doctor to discuss whether bupropion (generic Zyban®) or Chantix® is right for you. If it is, your doctor will give you a prescription.
- Zyban®, a brand name for bupropion, is a prescription medication which can help ease withdrawal symptoms and the urge to smoke. Bupropion is also used to treat depression. However, you do not have to be depressed to take bupropion for smoking cessation. Bupropion is started while you are still smoking, with your quit-smoking date set for a week later.
- Chantix® is a prescription medication which can help you stop smoking. You can start taking Chantix® one week before your quit smoking date. You can continue smoking during this time. Most people will keep taking Chantix® for up to 12 weeks. If you have completely quit smoking by 12 weeks, ask your doctor if another 12 weeks of treatment may help you stay tobacco free.
* Medicare members will be responsible for a copay for the smoking-cessation prescription products.
For more information about quitting smoking and tobacco use, the following resources can help:
New York State Smokers' Quitline or call 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487)
quitquest.roswellpark.org or call 1-877-500-2393
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
American Lung Association
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Smokefree.gov
QuitNet
North Shore Long Island Jewish Center for Tobacco Control