By Staff
Staff Report
On Nov. 15, the American Cancer Society, the nation's leading voluntary health agency, will host the 25th Great American Smokeout and help millions of smokers kick the habit and help youth understand the importance of never starting to smoke.
The Great American Smokeout promotion is the American Cancer Society's annual, nationally recognized day when we ask smokers to put down their cigarettes, cigars, spit tobacco or any other tobacco product because they all have the potential to cause cancer.
Because it is known that approximately 32 million smokers, out of 48 million current smokers, want to quit smoking completely, the American Cancer Society will continue to offer support and education to the public. The promise of an addiction-free life has encouraged many smokers to join in and prove themselves that they can live a day without cigarettes and that they can live the rest of their lives without them as well.
The Great American Smokeout is not just about adult smokers and cessation. As the times change and our understanding of the addictive cycle of nicotine increases, we're working to prevent children from ever becoming smokers. More than 88 percent of current adult smokers started before they were 18-years-old. That's why the Great American Smokeout is also focusing on promotions that will communicate to our children the social disadvantages of smoking and provide them with the tools to recognize and avoid negative social influences.
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.