Letter: Thanks for Quitting Smoking

To the Editor:

This Thanksgiving season, I'd like to remind readers to thank a co-worker, friend or family member who has quit smoking. Many smokers say quitting is the hardest thing they have ever done. Most smokers have to try a few times before they quit for good, and any amount of recognition can help someone stay quit.

Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death and disease in Massachusetts. Nicotine is a very addictive drug and, on average, it takes a smoker several tries to quit for good. So reach out to smokers or ex-smokers. Let them know you are proud of how hard they're working to better their well-being. Thank them for improving their health and the health of the people around them.

If you're a smoker, even though the holidays can be a tough time to quit, they are a great time to get support from your loved ones to help you try to quit. If you have tried in the past, don't give up. Instead, take advantage of the many resources available in Massachusetts to help you reach your goal.

Smokers can call the Helpline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to talk with a free quit coach. The Helpline is open for calls 24 hours each day, seven days a week (excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas). By talking with a quit coach at 1-800-QUIT-NOW, smokers can also receive a four-week supply of free nicotine patches.

Health insurance may cover the cost of medicines and coaching to help smokers quit — MassHealth does. With MassHealth and many other insurance companies, FDA-approved quit-smoking medications are available with little or no co-pay.

Smokers who get support and use stop-smoking medicines are nearly three times as likely to quit for good as those who try to quit on their own. Quitting is hard — give thanks to a smoker in your life for quitting or for attempting to quit. Every email, text message, phone call, or encouraging word makes a difference.

Joyce Brewer is the TFCP contract manager for Berkshire Area Health Education Center

Pittsfield Affordable Housing Initiatives Shine Light, Hope

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
07:08AM / Saturday, December 20, 2025

Housing Secretary Edward Augustus cuts the ribbon at The First on Thursday with housing officials and Mayor Peter Marchetti, state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The holidays are here and several community members are celebrating it with the opening of two affordable housing initiatives. 

 

"This is a day to celebrate," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said during the ribbon-cutting on Thursday. 

 

The celebration was for nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at "The First" located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. A ceremony was held in the new Housing Resource Center on First Street, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. 

 

The apartments will be leased out by Hearthway, with ServiceNet as a partner. 

 

Prior to the ribbon-cutting, public officials and community resource personnel were able to tour the two new permanent supported housing projects — West Housatonic Apartments and The First Street Apartments and Housing Resource Center. 

 

The First Street location has nine studio apartments that are about 300 square feet and has a large community center. The West Housatonic Street location will have 28 studio units that range between 300 to 350 square feet. All units can be adapted to be ADA accessible. 

 

The West Housatonic location is still under construction with the hope to have it completed by the middle of January, said Chris Wilett, Hearthway development associate.