WEB EXCLUSIVE: Quit-smoking program helps Albany shelter

As the cost for a pack of cigarettes continues to skyrocket, the effort in New York state to help people stop smoking is now having success in a demographic where 80 percent of the population smoke cigarettes.

The number of people still smoking cigarettes in New York state hit an all-time low this spring after the price for a pack of cigarettes reached as high as $10 in New York City, and an average of $7.50 around the state. The spike in prices is the result of a jump in federal and state sales taxes targeting tobacco products.

Peggy Kegley,director of the Smoking Cessation program at Seton Health Center in Troy, tells CBS 6 News the number of people who smoke in New York State dropped from 22.5 percent in 2003 to 16.7 percent now. "That's the lowest it's ever been," Kegley says.  State health officials attribute the drop to the increase in taxes.

Kegley also pointed to a cessation program that targets homeless people, a part of the population who can least afford the dramatic rise in a price of a smoke.

Six months ago, the Smoking Cessation program began holding classes at the City Mission on South Pearl Street in Albany.  Director Perry Jones says 80 percent of the people seeking shelter there smoke cigarettes.  

But as a result of the stop smoking classes, Jones confirms more than 30 clients have now stopped smoking.

Stop smoking classes at the Mission are held once a week on Thursday nights and participants are given counseling as well as nicotine patches, nicotine gum and lozenges to help them break the habit. 

Jones says the costs for the help aid are covered by the Tobacco Industry court settlement of several years ago.

 Jones says his clients are the people "who can least afford the hike in the price of cigarettes" and the classes have been helpful. he says while the classes are held at the City Mission, anyone can attend.

Smoking cessation programs are seeing an increase in people signing up and the Smoking Quitters hotlines is also seeing a jump in activity.