New Global Action Grant Helps Bring Smoking Cessation and Harm Reduction to Individuals with Substance Use Disorders

NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Action to End Smoking is proud to announce a new grant to Phoenix Houses of Long Island that will provide smoking cessation and tobacco harm reduction education to staff and clients across its addiction and mental health programs, including a special program for veterans of the U.S. military.

Phoenix House is a nonprofit organization that provides a continuum of care for people with substance use disorders and related mental health conditions. The grant work, which began in October, will complement Global Action's diverse Cessation Education area of giving. It is one of the first to educate health care providers and clients in the same organization.

"People living with substance use disorders and serious mental health conditions smoke tobacco at much higher rates, as do veterans. We also see a very high rate of combustible cigarette use among our own staff," said Dr. Kristine Torres-Lockhart, Chief Medical Officer of Phoenix House. "To effect real reductions in smoking in our community, we are thrilled to have this grant to support our team and clients in their journeys to quit through education and motivation."

With Global Action's funding, Phoenix House will begin an 18-month pilot program that provides smoking cessation and harm reduction education across its facilities in New York City and Long Island, initially to staff and then to clients who smoke. In the first phase of the program, approximately 150 Phoenix House staff will participate in three separate educational workshops on cessation and harm reduction. In the second phase, 200 clients will benefit from similar educational workshops.

In each phase, at least one workshop will be tailored to serve military veterans at Phoenix House's Lake Ronkonkoma Residential Facility. This program specializes in treatment of those who have served in the military and are living with substance use disorders.

"We were honored to support this important work, which tackles smoking cessation and harm reduction in a creative, two-tiered manner," said Heidi B. Goldstein, President and Chief Legal Officer of Global Action to End Smoking. "This grant will advance our shared mission to respect all individuals who smoke and support their quitting efforts by providing education about traditional cessation methods as well as newer tools."

Measures of success will include total enrollment, participation, and completion rates, reduction in cigarette use, number of people who use both reduced-risk nicotine products and cigarettes, and the number of people who completely quit.

"With this innovative grant to Phoenix House, we're looking forward to making further progress on our charitable mission to end combustible tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death globally," said Goldstein.

What are the best ways to quit smoking?

There is no right way to quit smoking. Ultimately, the best way to quit is the one that works for you.

There are many nicotine replacement therapies, including nicotine lozenges, nicotine patches, and nicotine gums that have been approved by global health authorities to help adults quit smoking. Additionally, certain medications and counseling can be useful to a person quitting smoking.

Many people who smoke struggle to quit, even with these resources. In these cases, tobacco harm reduction may be appropriate. Tobacco harm reduction is the concept that for those adults who cannot or will not quit smoking using traditional cessation tools, switching entirely to reduced-risk nicotine options can lower their long-term health risks and help them live longer, healthier lives.

Are e-cigarettes safe?

E-cigarettes contain nicotine, the addictive stimulant in tobacco, and some flavorings. Because the liquid in an e-cigarette is heated rather than burned, the aerosol carries far fewer harmful chemicals than the smoke from combustible tobacco products. As a result, they are a significantly less risky form of consuming nicotine than a combustible cigarette, and are a form of tobacco harm reduction.

It's important to note that even if e-cigarettes are less harmful, it doesn't mean that they're completely safe. Nicotine should not be used by anyone who has never used it before, especially youth. Additionally, e-cigarettes contain other chemical components, including flavoring agents, some of which have unknown health effects. Long-term studies are still underway.

Are nicotine pouches safe?

Nicotine pouches contain nicotine, the addictive stimulant in tobacco, along with flavorings. They do not contain many of the harmful byproducts found in cigarette smoke, which remains the leading preventable cause of death worldwide.

Global health authorities including the FDA have concluded that nicotine pouches, which do not contain tobacco, are significantly less risky than cigarettes, making them a form of tobacco harm reduction. However, this does not mean that they are completely safe or risk-free.

What is Global Action to End Smoking?

Global Action to End Smoking is a 501(c)(3) charitable grantmaking organization. Our mission is to end combustible tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death globally.

We are accelerating comprehensive, science-based global efforts to end the smoking epidemic. We support all adults who smoke on their unique journeys to quit—no matter where they live or what identities they carry. We want all adults who smoke to feel respected. We understand each person's quit journey is as unique as they are, and their trust must be earned through empathy.

Media Contact:
Katherine Ellen Foley, Senior Director, Communications
202-215-9971
[email protected]

SOURCE Global Action to End Smoking