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.
Our Youth from Rock Solid did a presentation at the WA. State Prevention Summit on this topic just last week. One youth shared a very personal story about how her grandfather died from his addiction to smoking tobacco. She said, “Sometimes you have to be a quitter to win this game!” We were all so proud of her courage to share this story and she also came up with that great closing line.
Great American Smokeout presentation by Rock Solid at recent WA. State Prevention Summit 2012