Sloatsburg Smoking Cessation Success Story

Be like Lynn and leave smoking in the past

With the start of 2026 comes another opportunity to tackle life’s resolutions. For many New York State residents, overcoming nicotine addiction and becoming tobacco-free* will be a top priority. The New York State Quitline (NYS Quitline) reminds everyone free support is available seven days a week and thousands of people achieve success each year. Lynn D. (pictured), a 66-year-old resident of Sloatsburg in the Hudson Valley Region, is a “Success Story” and can offer inspiration for anyone trying to quit.  

Family means everything to Lynn. She was heartbroken when her father, who regularly smoked two packs of cigarettes a day, passed away many years ago due to emphysema and other smoking-related factors. Even though heart disease ran in her family, Lynn still tried smoking and became addicted.

“I started smoking in junior high school and, unfortunately, got my future husband addicted, too,” Lynn recalled. “I didn’t smoke while pregnant or when my children were young, but overall I’d say I smoked at least a half a pack each day for more than 30 years.”

Smoking continued to pervade Lynn’s life and those of her family members. Her eldest daughter, Rose, became addicted to cigarettes as a young adult. Fortunately, in 2006, the announcement of a pregnancy changed everything.

“My younger daughter came home from college and informed us she was going to become a mother,” Lynn said. “As I began to clean the house to prepare for a future grandchild, I realized just how badly everything smelled from our cigarettes. Rose suggested we all try becoming tobacco-free together.”

Lynn and Rose each contacted the NYS Quitline and received helpful coaching and free nicotine patches. Nineteen years later, they each continue to enjoy a tobacco-free life.

“The Quitline was a lifesaver!” Lynn exclaimed. “In the beginning, I felt like whenever there was an urge to want to smoke again, I knew there was always someone I could call at the Quitline for support.”

Lynn’s new tobacco-free lifestyle especially helped her career as a daycare provider. Improved breathing allowed her to walk and swim more. Subsequent weight loss increased her energy to be more active around the children at her daycare.

“I posted Quitline information sheets at my daycare and told everyone I knew how much the program worked,” Lynn said. “The support of my family and my doctors also helped me so much. For anyone trying to quit, lean on your support – especially your family.”

Anyone seeking assistance to become tobacco-free may contact the NYS Quitline by calling 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487). They can also visit nysmokefree.com to reach a specialist through an online chat, request a call-back or order free nicotine replacement therapy medications. The NYS Quitline additionally offers free text-support programs by visiting www.DropTheVape.org and by texting QUITNOW (English) or DÉJELO YA NY (Spanish) to 333888.

The NYS Quitline encourages all New York State residents to try – or try again – to become tobacco-free in 2026. More “Success Stories” like Lynn’s are available at a new webpage, www.nysmokefree.com/success-stories. The stories, which are searchable by primary reason for quitting, type of tobacco product overcome, location and age can offer inspiration to never give up and reclaim healthier living.