At the big US party, the New Jersey Department of Human Services urges smokers to get help to quit

TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey Social Services Commissioner Carole Johnson commemorated the Great American Smokeout on Thursday, November 16, urging smokers to seek help from their health care provider – including those from Medicaid, who can now enjoy the new benefits related to Murphy's administration.

Johnson also announced that the ministry will conduct a survey of mental health and addiction providers about their smoking cessation programs and policies.

"We want to make sure that everyone is doing everything in their power to help vulnerable New Jersey residents to smoke and its dangers," said Johnson. "Smoking is the leading cause of death and preventable disease in New Jersey, resulting in chronic lung disease, heart disease, stroke and cancer. The Murphy Administration is committed to reducing smoking, which kills 11,800 people in New Jersey every year, and to engaging with all New Jerseyers to provide them with the help they need to take steps to quit and improve – and most likely save their lives. "

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Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the Great American Smokeout is an annual event held every third Thursday in November to mark the time when smokers may decide to stop using tobacco. Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States and around the world. The overall mortality of the average smoker is three times higher than that of those who have never smoked, and the rates of cancer, respiratory and vascular diseases among smokers are also higher.

Earlier this year, the Murphy Administration announced new measures to help Medicaid beneficiaries in New Jersey stop smoking by facilitating medication and smoking cessation counseling.

Medicaid no longer requires individuals to obtain prior approval from their health care plan prior to obtaining smoking cessation medications, and will add group smoking cessation counseling to the services they cover.

At the same time, Johnson indicated that the Department's Mental Health and Addiction Services Division (DMHAS) will conduct a survey of licensed behavioral health service providers in the state, so that the division can learn about current agency services and training needs to help people quit.

Here are some facts about the effects of smoking in people with mental illness or addiction:

• The CDC estimates that people with behavioral and health problems consume 40% of all cigarettes sold in the United States. They smoke not only at much higher rates than the general public, but they also smoke a lot more.
• Smokers, who suffer from a serious mental illness, particularly suffer and die until 25 years earlier than an average American.
• Recent studies show that smoking cessation rates among people in severe psychological distress account for half of those who do not have mental health problems.
• People with a substance use disorder are less likely to stop using drugs when they also smoke.

"We will continue to work to break down barriers so that people who try to quit can get the help they need," Johnson said. "Today is a good time to take the first step toward a healthier lifestyle, but health care providers and Medicaid can help New Jersey residents take this step every day." l & # 39; year. We are here to help. "