Cigarette smoking is the number one preventable cause of death and disease in the United States (1). In 2022, more than 28 million adults across the country smoked cigarettes (2). Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are responsible for more than 480,000 deaths every year nationwide. (1). The impact goes beyond health—tobacco use cost the U.S. over $240 billion in health care expenses in 2018 (3).
These human and financial costs can be reduced by preventing young people from starting, helping current smokers quit, and limiting exposure to secondhand smoke. To address this, Suffolk County has launched a comprehensive tobacco control program. It focuses on preventing youth nicotine addiction through school-based programming, offers free cessation support for those who want to quit, and strictly enforces laws that prohibit tobacco sales to minors, ban flavored vape sales, and protect clean indoor air.
School-based programs
The Office of Health Education offers multiple vaping cessation programs in varying formats, that can all be tailored to fit each school district’s unique needs.
The Vape Out! Campaign is a month-long program that saturates the school community on all things vaping. The four weeks consist of peer education, vaping awareness messaging, mini assemblies, and a Parent Community Night.
Schools may instead opt for one-time assemblies, delivered by Suffolk County’s Public Health Educators. The assemblies will discuss the tobacco industry’s marketing tactics, the ingredients and make-up of vapes and related products, health risks, and addiction support and quitting resources.
Smoking Cessation programs
Helping people break the addiction to nicotine is essential to achieving sustained declines in tobacco use. Suffolk County’s smoking cessation program provides behavior modification and supportive pharmaceuticals to medically eligible participants. All cessation groups and programs are supervised by a nurse practitioner, and services are provided to residents at no cost. Program participants also receive personalized follow-up. We support them in discovering the benefits of a tobacco-free lifestyle.
Counter-marketing and Public Information
Tobacco use has been "glamorized" and "normalized" by decades of tobacco industry advertising. To combat this slick, highly-financed advertising, Suffolk County is presenting "the real truth" about tobacco use. Presentations are available to high schools, colleges and community groups.
Suffolk County is also working with local Kiwanis Clubs to provide resources to help Emergency Room nurses and doctors learn how to help reduce a child’s exposure to secondhand smoke and prevent many childhood illnesses.
Enforcement
Suffolk County is committed to strictly enforcing all state and local laws on tobacco sales and use, including the ban on selling tobacco to anyone under 21 and New York State’s prohibition on flavored nicotine vapor products. The county also limits tobacco advertising near items that appeal to children such as candy, toys, and trading cards, and requires all tobacco products to be kept behind the counter. In addition, Suffolk County enforces both state and county clean indoor air laws to protect residents from secondhand smoke. For more information visit: https://suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Health-Services/Public-Health-Protection/Tobacco-Vendor-Education
Do what's best for you and the ones you love.
Protect your health and theirs.
Quit smoking.
We can help.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, September 17). Cigarette smoking. Retrieved July 30, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/index.html|CDC
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, October 8). Burden of cigarette use in the U.S. Retrieved July 30, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/resources/data/cigarette-smoking-in-united-states.html | CDC
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, September 17). Economic trends in tobacco. Retrieved July 30, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/php/data-statistics/economic-trends/index.html