NYS Quitline Offers $2,500 Prize to Help You Quit Smoking

This summer, if you’ve been thinking about quitting smoking or vaping, here’s a little extra motivation: cash. To celebrate 25 years of helping New Yorkers become tobacco-free, the New York State Quitline is launching a “Quit-and-Win” contest with some serious prizes on the line.

One lucky winner will walk away with $2,500, and ten others will win $250 each, just for making the commitment to stay tobacco-free for the first 25 days of August.

How It Works: Quit for 25 Days, Get Entered to Win

Here’s the deal. If you smoke or vape most days of the week and are at least 18 years old, you can sign up at nysmokefree.com/contest. The catch? You have to commit to quitting and staying tobacco-free from August 1 through August 25.

To keep things fair, winners will be confirmed through a mailed saliva test. Only one entry per person is allowed, and yes, you do have to be a New York State resident.

Help Is Free If You Want It

Let’s be real: quitting is hard. That’s why the NYS Quitline is offering free support to anyone taking the 25-day challenge. When you sign up, you can speak with a Tobacco Treatment Specialist to talk through your triggers, create a plan, and order a free starter kit that includes patches, gum, or lozenges.

“Financial incentives can be effective motivation,” says Paula Celestino, co-founder of the NYS Quitline. “But we want people to feel confident and supported — not just during the challenge, but long after August 25.”

Why Summer? And Why Now?

Believe it or not, summer is usually a quiet time for quitlines like this. But organizers see that as a perfect opportunity to keep the momentum going. Whether you’ve tried quitting before or this is your first attempt, the goal remains the same: help New Yorkers live healthier, longer lives.

This contest is made possible thanks to a generous donation from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, where the NYS Quitline is based.

So What Does “Tobacco-Free” Really Mean?

In this contest, “tobacco-free” refers to the commercial use of manufactured cigarettes, cigars, and vapes, not the traditional or ceremonial use of tobacco by Native American or Indigenous communities. If you’re using commercial tobacco or vape products and want to stop, this is the Quitline’s sweet spot. They’ve helped millions and are available seven days a week.

Need Help Now? Here’s How to Reach Out

Whether you’re joining the contest or just want help quitting, there are plenty of ways to connect with the NYS Quitline:

Call: 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487)
Online: nysmokefree.com
Text: English: Text QUITNOW to 333888 or Spanish: Text DÉJELO YA NY to 333888