The American Cancer Society is marking the 37th Great American Smokeout on November 15 by encouraging smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By quitting — even for one day — smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing cancer risk.
Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet about 43.8 million Americans still smoke cigarettes — Nearly 1 in every 5 adults. As of 2010, there were also 13.2 million cigar smokers in the US, and 2.2 million who smoke tobacco in pipes — other dangerous and addictive forms of tobacco.
For help in getting yourself or a loved one to quit see the American Cancer Society’s Guide to Quitting Smoking.
RELATED STORIES & RESOURCES:
- Quit smoking: How to curb the urge (CancerWise/MD Anderson)
- Plan to Become an Ex-Smoker for Good (New York Times)
- Smoking bans cut number of heart attacks, strokes (USA Today)
- Health roundup: 19% still smoke, but they smoke less (USA Today)
- Houston Hospitals turn away applicants who smoke (Houston Chronicle)