Brooklyn, NY, May 27, 2025 – Maimonides Health has established its new Smoking Cessation Program, designed to help patients overcome tobacco and nicotine dependence. The program is led by Maimonides Cancer Center’s Cancer Screening Program. In partnership with Maimonides Health’s Human Resources Department, the program will also support tobacco use cessation among Maimonides employees. Coordinated by three newly trained Tobacco Treatment Specialists, it will provide six-week group sessions that incorporate evidence-based clinical and behavioral interventions including skill-building, counseling, and nicotine replacement therapy.

The program is partly made possible by $15,000 in grant funding from the TD Charitable Foundation, which will provide for program materials including nicotine replacement therapies, cognitive behavioral tools, carbon monoxide breath monitors, and educational booklets. Part of the funding will also be used to provide funding support for discounted lung screenings for uninsured patients.

“We are proud to offer this resource to our patients, providing the support they need to help them stop tobacco use and reduce their risk of many serious conditions including cancer, lung disease, heart disease, and stroke,” said John Marshall, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Maimonides Health. “We are committed to promoting good health throughout our communities, and a key part of this mission is helping to stop these diseases before they affect the lives and health of our patients.”

In New York City, 8.7% of residents smoke; in Brooklyn, the rate is higher, at 9.2%. Data show high adult smoking rates in 4 of the 10 primary community districts served by Maimonides, with rates exceeding both the New York City and Brooklyn averages. While smoking rates have been halved in New York City over the past two decades, tobacco cessation treatment utilization varies by community, race, gender, and ethnicity, due to unequal access to health care and treatment options. Studies show that combining counseling with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) increases one’s chances of successfully quitting to 24%, compared to just 3% to 5% for those who try to quit independently. With health care costs in New York State directly caused by smoking totaling $9.7 billion each year, the program offers a necessary preventative care resource for Maimonides patients. 

“Evidence-based medical and counseling methods, thorough follow-up, and empathetic care give our patients the tools and support they need for success in their journey to quit tobacco use,” said Lenia Batas, Cancer Screening Program Manager, Maimonides Health.  “While effective tobacco cessation resources are not always offered equally throughout communities here in Brooklyn, including the ones we serve, this program aims to fill those gaps and make these resources accessible to all.” 

“Lung cancer is still the number-one cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, yet fewer than 10% of those eligible for annual lung cancer screenings have been screened in the past year,” said Jason Shaw, MD, Director of the Maimonides Lung Cancer Screening Program and Director of General Thoracic Surgery. “Through our Screening Program and our cutting-edge treatment options, we’re saving more lives from lung cancer, and this new Smoking Cessation Program will save even more lives by helping to prevent cancer in the first place.” 

“At TD, we know that if people are not confident about their health, they can’t be confident about their future, so we are committed to supporting solutions that help improve access to care and health outcomes for our communities,” said Paige Carlson-Heim, Director of the TD Charitable Foundation. “Smoking cessation programs are critical in helping to reduce the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. That’s why the TD Charitable Foundation is proud to support Maimonides Health as they work to reduce health disparities and help Brooklyn’s residents achieve their long-term health and wellness goals.” 

The initiative is part of Maimonides’ efforts to reduce lung cancer prevalence and mortality. For individuals with a history of smoking, Maimonides’ Lung Cancer Screening Program has provided more than 5,000 noninvasive low-dose CT scan screenings to date, identifying cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. To schedule or refer a patient for lung cancer screening at Maimonides, call (718) 283-2059 or sign up online. Those interested in learning more about the Smoking Cessation Program may reach out to QuitSmoking@maimo.org for more information.