Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island Celebrates 25 Years of Lifesaving Work in New York State25 Years of Lifesaving Work in New York State

Dozens of state and local landmarks will be illuminated purple next week on November 20, 2025 as Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island (TACLI)  along with other local and statewide tobacco prevention programs celebrate the 25th anniversary of the New York State Tobacco Control Program. The lighting initiative, known as Illuminating 25 Years of Landmark Progress, serves as a visual tribute to the program’s many successes in saving lives and building healthier, tobacco-free communities across New York. The tribute aligns with the Great American Smokeout, which encourages people who smoke to make a plan to quit.

TACLI partnered with local youth and community groups across Long Island to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use and provide resources for quitting. In Levittown, TACLI partnered with the Levittown Youth Coalition and the Nassau County Heroin Prevention Taskforce Youth Committee. The young leaders hung posters from New York State Quitline's Drop The Vape program on their school campus, to provide resources to those that may be struggling with nicotine addiction while Glen Cove Safe invited us to Glen Cove High School to share educational materials and quit resources with students.

“The use of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, particularly among young people, is worrying. Vaping exposes individuals to serious health problems including asthma attacks. Nicotine is especially harmful to adolescents’ developing brains and can make oral nicotine pouches highly addictive,” said Christine Fardellone, DNP, RN, Institute for Community Wellness, Northwell Health. TACLI also showed their continued support for Suffolk County Community College’s Smoke-Free campus policy by attending their GASO event to provide education about the dangers of secondhand smoke, and the tobacco industry’s deceptive marketing practices while offering resources for quitting.

While youth tobacco use in New York has dropped to a record low of 17%, vaping and nicotine pouches remain a concern. That’s why this year’s celebration also focuses on empowering people of all ages to quit—and stay quit. Whether you’re a teen or an adult, here are some expert-backed tips to help you take the next step:

Quit Smoking Tips:

• It’s never too late to quit. The Great American Smokeout reminds us that quitting tobacco at any age improves your health, saves money, and can inspire others. You’ll also avoid the hassle of going outside in the cold to smoke or vape.
• Learn from past experiences. Most people who smoke, chew, or vape have tried to quit before. Don’t be discouraged—each attempt is a step toward success. Reflect on what helped and what you might do differently next time.
• You don’t have to quit alone. Enrolling in a proven program like the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking and leaning on friends and family can double your chances of quitting for good.
• Talk to your doctor. There are seven FDA-approved medications that can help you quit. Used properly and consistently, they can significantly boost your chances of success.
• Quit. Don’t switch. E-cigarettes are still tobacco products. The FDA has not approved any e-cigarette as a safe or effective quit aid. Real quitting means ending your addiction to nicotine—not replacing it.

For young people ages 13–24, the New York State Quitline offers DROPTHEVAPE, a free, confidential quit service. Visit nysmokefree.com/drop-the-vape or call 866-NY-QUITS to get started. For adults seeking support, the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking program is available statewide and has helped hundreds of thousands of people quit for good. The program combines expert guidance with peer support to increase your chances of quitting and staying quit.

About Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island 

The Tobacco Action Coalition of LI is one of 21 Advancing Tobacco Free Communities’ grants funded by the NYS DOH’s Bureau of Tobacco Control and administered by the American Lung Association. Our grant is comprised of a community engagement and youth action component, Reality Check, which works collaboratively to promote environments open to creating a tobacco-free norm as well as educating and empowering our youth to become change agents within their communities. To learn more visit: BreatheFreely.org