NEW YORK (1010 WINS)  -- The clock is ticking for New Yorkers who want to take advantage of the city's free nicotine patch and gum giveaway.

With the giveaway ending Thursday, May 1, the Health Department is urging those looking to quit smoking to call 311 for help.

The Health Depatment says about 15,00 New Yorkers have enrolled in the free program and about 60% of callers have said they heard about the program through the Health Department's new anti-tobacco ads.

Women have placed more calls than men, even though men smoke at higher rates in New York City. Middle age smokers are calling in greater numbers than younger and older smokers, and Black and white New Yorkers are calling more than Hispanic New Yorkers. Overall 60% of enrollees said that they'd tried to quit in the past year, indicating that many smokers are willing to give it another try.