Beginning in 1977, the third Thursday in November has been designated as the Great American Smokeout Day. On this day, smokers all across the country are encouraged to at least cut back on their smoking for the day, if not abstain from smoking all together.
Every year millions of smokers country wide participate in the smoke out. Often, this simple step of not smoking for just one day leads to a more permanent cessation of smoking.
History of The Great American Smoke Out
What would eventually come to be known as the Great American Smokeout grew out of an event birthed by a Randolph, Massachusetts resident Arthur P. Mullaney in 1971. Mullaney simply asked people to not smoke for one day and to donate the money they would have spent on cigarettes for that day to a local high school; the money was to go towards a scholarship fund.
Three years later in 1974, Lynn R. Smith, the editor of the Monticello Times in Monticello, Minnesota promoted the state’s first Don’t Smoke Day, also known as D-Day.
The California Division of the American Cancer Society took up the D-Day cause in 1976 and successfully managed to get close to one million smokers to call it quits for the day. According to the American Cancer Society's website, it was that California event that marked the first smoke out and kicked off the yearly event, which went national the very next year.
Adverse Effects of Smoking
According to a November 2008 Centers for Disease Control report, the number of American adults who smoke went down by one percent from 2006 to 2007. Though any reduction in the number of smokers is a gain, the health related issues that accompany smoking continue to be at an alarming high.
The American Cancer Society reports that over 440,000 people die in the United States every year as a direct result of tobacco usage. Smoking, the ACS states, account for more American deaths than automobile accidents, suicides, alcohol, AIDS, homicide and illegal drugs combined.
Help for Smokers Wanting to Quit
The American Cancer Society uses this yearly event to not only draw attention to the health issues and dangers that accompany smoking, but also to point smokers who struggle with quitting towards the many resources and tools available to them.
It has been proven that success in quitting smoking is greatly increased when smokers have support. This support can come in a number of ways. The ACS recommends that smokers eager to kick the habit employ one or more of these resources:
- nicotine replacement products (such as the patch or gum);
- counseling;
- prescription medication to lessen nicotine cravings;
- joining a stop smoking support group;
- using telephone smoking cessation hotlines;
- guide books;
- support and encouragement from friends and loved ones.
Quit Smoking Hotline
Telephone stop smoking hotlines are available across the country. Call 1-800-ACS-2345 to find stop smoking resources in your area.
The American Cancer Society and their yearly Great American Smokeout have significantly impacted the nation-wide attitudes surrounding smoking as well as aiding in the understanding of nicotine addiction.
Although the Smokeout lasts but for a day, for those willing, it can be the first of many smoke-free days.
Sources:
“About the Great American Smokeout” American Cancer Society Online. Retrieved 2009-11-11
"Slightly Lower Adult Smoking Rates" Center for Disease Control Press Release. November 13, 2008. Retrieved 2009-11-12
 |
 |
 |
