Bethany Bump is reporting in the Times Union the state Department of Health announced October 21, it has expanded the services available through the New York State Smokers' Quitline to offer free coaching and nicotine replacement therapy to e-cigarette users who want to stop vaping. The decision was made in response to the nationwide outbreak of vaping-related illnesses that have killed 33 people and hospitalized almost 1,500 more. The department worked with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo to develop eligibility criteria and practices that help e-cigarette users stop vaping. Nicotine replacement therapy, especially a regimen that combines use of a patch with gum or lozenge, usually doubles the odds that a user will quit, the department said. Anyone interested can contact the quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) any day of the week beginning at 9 a.m. and speak with a specially trained coach, who will provide an assessment. Based on that evaluation, a user may be eligible to receive free nicotine replacement therapy. Read the full story in the Times Union.