New York State Smokers' Quitline hosts two webinars in November

Webinars to cover new services for treating e-cigarette users, communication preferences reported by NYS health care professionals

The New York State Smokers’ Quitline invites all health care professionals to attend free one-hour webinars in November.

The first, titled “The E-Cigarette Epidemic: Updated Services from the NYS Smokers’ Quitline,” takes place Thursday, Nov. 7. The second, titled “2019 Healthcare Professional Communication Survey: Findings and Implications for the NYS Smokers’ Quitline,” takes place Tuesday, Nov. 19. Both webinars start at 11 a.m., include a Q&A session at the conclusion, and will be recorded for future listening.

Registration is available at www.nysmokefree.com/NewsRoom.

The first webinar comes on the heels of New York State Department of Health’s announcement of new services available to help e-cigarette users quit vaping. Members of the Quitline will provide an overview and rationale for the new protocol of providing free nicotine patches, gum and lozenges for e-cigarette users, in addition to coaching and support. Participants will learn trends and themes experienced by the Quitline coaches who assist e-cigarette/vape users contacting the Quitline for services.

The second webinar will provide analysis of the Quitline’s second annual Healthcare Professional Communication Preferences Survey. Nearly 2,700 state-licensed professionals completed the survey throughout April and May and shared opinions about types of communication methods, tobacco and cessation-related topics, tobacco treatment intervention methods and efficacy, administering tobacco screening and treatment to adolescents, and willingness to refer patients to the Quitline.

The data helps shape the Quitline’s marketing initiatives and can support regional health systems contractors to provide targeted, localized outreach efforts.

Pending approval, one CASAC (credentialed alcohol and substance abuse counselor) credit will be available for attendees upon successful completion of a short quiz and evaluation.