Thursday, November 20, 2008 is the 33rd American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout, inaugurated in 1976 to inspire and encourage smokers to quit for one day. In the past year, 39.8 percent of the 43.4 million Americans who smoke have attempted to quit for at least one day, and the Great American Smokeout remains a great way to encourage people to make a long-term plan to quit for good.

Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. Each year, smoking accounts for an estimated 443,000 premature deaths, including 38,000 deaths among nonsmokers as a result of secondhand smoke. Half of all Americans who continue to smoke will die from smoking-related diseases.

With all the resources available to help smokers quit, there has never been a better time to quit smoking, and organizations like the American Cancer Society (ACS) can help. The ACS Quitline allows people who plan to quit to speak with a trained counselor and receive free, confidential counseling. Callers to the Quitline can be also connected with smoking cessation resources in their communities, social support groups, Internet resources, and medication assistance referrals.

The ACS also offers other free resources at www.cancer.org/GreatAmericans that can increase a smoker’s chances of quitting successfully, including tips and tools for friends, family, and coworkers of potential quitters to help them be supportive of the struggle to quit smoking. Several studies demonstrate the importance of social support in quitting smoking, which can double the likelihood that a person will successfully kick the habit. Online social networks are also becoming support channels for people who want to quit.

The majority of U.S. communities are now covered by smoke-free laws, while forty-three states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have raised tobacco taxes since 2000. Smokers nationwide now face an average cost of $4.32 for one pack of cigarettes, not including all taxes. With today’s troubled economy, what better time could there be than today to quit smoking forever?

If someone you love is a smoker, encourage them to quit today; you can even find some creative way to reward their healthy decision. If you are smoker, get personal support in your effort to become smoke free by joining the Healia Health Community for Quitting Smoking.

Adapted from American Cancer Society release

Call the ACS Quitline at 1-800-227-2345 or find other stop smoking resources at www.cancer.org/GreatAmericans.\

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