For those with lower incomes in New York, the grip of addiction to commercial tobacco products is said to be more harmful.

According to the latest data from 2021, one in five adults in New York with annual household incomes of $25,000 or less smoke, compared to approximately one in eight adults overall. 

Those with lower incomes are also said to be those who reach out the most for free resources and support.

During the final three months of 2023, 59.4% of New York's Quitline participants reported having annual household incomes of $30,000 or less, the highest such level since 2019. 

"We know most people who smoke want to quit," said Paula Celestino, the Quitline's director of client relations and outreach. “Although we experience a relatively high percentage of participants who report having lower incomes, many encounter barriers to reach us for help."

Through a new online platform, Celestino and her colleagues created, Quitline will be able to assist community-based organizations and community healthcare programs to connect people to free services. Heart, Love & Soul, a social services agency in Niagara Falls, is one of the first organizations to adopt the model 

"For guests who visit us – whether for a warm meal, healthcare services, referrals for housing assistance or more – many of them smoke but want to quit," said Lori Baeumler, community health nurse for Heart, Love & Soul. “This program makes it easy for our guests to learn how to get free resources and starts them on a path to make a quit-attempt."