The New York State Smokers’ Quitline, located at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, applauds the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s announced graphic cigarette health warnings. The gruesome pictorial warnings tell the hard truth about smoking in a way that will be hard for smokers to escape.

Importantly, the new FDA warnings also included the government’s 1-800-QUITNOW toll-free phone number, which tells smokers that they have a choice — they can try to quit and get free help to do so. The new labels can be viewed at: http://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/Labeling/CigaretteWarningLabels/default.htm

However, New York smokers don’t have to wait to get help. Smokers can pick up the phone right now and dial – 1-800-QUIT-NOW and get a free quit guide, a starter kit of nicotine patches or gum (most who call qualify), and support from the expert Quitline coaches. If you’d rather click than call, smokers can go to www.nysmokefree.com.

The Quitline is open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Friday through Sunday 9 a.m. until 5 pm. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at http://www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or email askrpci@roswellpark.org.