Before heading of to law school in Chicago in the summer of 2024, Aleah Gathings, MPH, was the program manager for the Manhattan Smoke-Free Partnership, located at the East and Central Harlem District Public Health Office. The Manhattan Smoke-Free Partnership is part of the New York State Tobacco Control Program, which aims to make New York a smoke-free place. Here, Aleah tells us about her role while working in Harlem.

Q: What is the Manhattan Smoke-Free Partnership doing to decrease smoking in Harlem?

A: One of our main goals is to protect kids from the harms related to smoking. One way we're doing this is by shielding them from big tobacco companies who target them with their advertising. We're also trying to decrease kids' exposure to secondhand smoke by teaching them how to communicate with smokers in their lives. For example, we show them ways to approach smokers and ask them to smoke in areas outside of the home or a closed space. By doing this, children are able to express to the smoker that secondhand smoke is hurting them as well. Finally, we're working on connecting Harlem residents to quit smoking resources, such as hospitals, clinics and places to get low-cost nicotine replacement therapies such as nicotine gum or patches to help fight the craving for a cigarette.

We also have several partnerships with asthma organizations in Harlem. The East and Central Harlem District Public Health Office has helped connect us with local schools and asthma programs and we are hoping to work with them to educate kids, teachers, and staff about tobacco and smoking cessation resources.

Q: How did you become interested in the field of smoking cessation?

A: A lot of people in my family smoke cigarettes. This has always been hard for me because I know that smoking can increase your risk of disease and death. When I saw this job opportunity with the New York State Tobacco Control program, I thought it would be a good way to get involved and help out other families like mine.

Q: Are the rates of smoking higher in Harlem than in other NYC neighborhoods?

A: The rates of smoking are a little higher in Harlem than NYC overall, but not the highest of the five boroughs. However, we have found that more people are dying from smoking and smoking-related illnesses, such as lung cancer or emphysema, in Harlem compared to other communities in NYC. There are many reasons, such as income, education, diet and exercise, that make it difficult for Harlem residents to access proper healthcare or smoking cessation programs. Combining these factors increases the risk of death due to smoking among Harlem residents.

Also, many of the smokers I have talked to say they started smoking when they were young. That's why we have made protecting kids from tobacco companies and smoking one of our priorities. Also, many residents in Harlem find it hard to break the habit of smoking. Most commonly, adults who have been smoking since they were kids have the most trouble quitting. Compared to other areas of Manhattan, I think that people in Harlem are more addicted to smoking, which may be because there are more tobacco brand advertisements in communities like Harlem than in other communities in the city. Research shows that the tobacco industry markets mentholated tobacco brands more heavily in communities of color and in low-income communities. The tobacco industry also aggressively markets tobacco brands to youth; this includes brands of smokeless tobacco.

Harlem Word is a series of interviews with community health experts written by HHPC and approved by our Health Advisory Board.