What is the Great American Smokeout?
For more than 40 years, the American Cancer Society has hosted the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday of November. This event is an opportunity for people who smoke to commit to healthy, smoke-free lives – not just for a day, but year-round. It provides an opportunity for individuals, community groups, businesses, healthcare providers, and others to encourage people to use the date to make a plan to quit, or plan in advance and start a smoking cessation plan on the day of the event. The Great American Smokeout event challenges people to stop smoking and helps people learn about the many tools they can use to help them quit and stay quit.
Why Is This Event Important?
About 32.4 million American adults still smoke cigarettes, and smoking remains the single largest preventable cause of death and illness in the world. Smoking causes an estimated 480,000 deaths every year, or about 1 in 5 deaths. And more than 16 million Americans live with a smoking-related disease.
While the rates of cigarette smoking have declined over the past several decades, from 42% in 1965 to 13.7% in 2019, the gains have been inconsistent. Some groups smoke more heavily or at higher rates and suffer disproportionately from smoking-related cancer and other diseases. These populations tend to be those who experience inequities in many areas of their lives, including:
- Those at lower socioeconomic levels
- Those without college degrees
- American Indians/Alaska natives
- African American/Black communities
- LGBTQ communities
- Those in the military
- Those with behavioral health conditions
Health Effects of Smoking
No matter how you smoke it, tobacco is dangerous to your health. There are no safe substances in any tobacco products, from acetone and tar to nicotine and carbon monoxide. The substances you inhale don’t just affect your lungs. They can affect your entire body. Smoking causes:
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Lung disease
- Diabetes
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Emphysema
- Chronic bronchitis
Quitting Tobacco For Good
No matter your age or how long you’ve been smoking, it’s never too late to quit. Quitting smoking improves your health and reduces your risk of heart disease, cancer, lung disease, and other smoking-related illnesses. Giving up smoking is a journey, and it can be hard, but you can increase your chances of success with a good plan and support.
There are many ways to quit smoking, and some work better than others. Let November 19 be your day to start your journey toward a smoke-free life. You’ll be joining thousands of people who smoke across the country in taking an important step toward a healthier life and reducing your cancer risk.
Quitting smoking takes time. And a plan. You don’t have to stop smoking in one day. Take your first step by visiting the links below.