Great American Smokeout

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US Navy 091119-N-8191S-001 Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Monique Lopez and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Daniel Brown, both assigned to the Naval Hospital Bremerton, participate in the Great American Smokeout

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Why is the Great American Smokeout Important? (6353316303)

Great American Smokeout is an annual event in the United States aimed at encouraging Americans to quit tobacco smoking. The event is sponsored by the American Cancer Society and takes place on the third Thursday of November. The Great American Smokeout challenges people to stop using tobacco for 24 hours, hoping this decision will continue permanently. It also aims to increase awareness about the dangers of smoking, including lung cancer, heart disease, and other health issues related to tobacco use.

History

The concept of the Great American Smokeout originated in the 1970s when Lynn R. Smith, editor of the Monticello Times in Minnesota, announced the first D-Day, or Don't Smoke Day. The idea was then adopted by Arthur P. Mullaney in Randolph, Massachusetts, who suggested people give up cigarettes for a day and donate the money they would have spent on cigarettes to a high school scholarship fund. The American Cancer Society took the idea nationwide in 1977, marking the official start of the annual event.

Purpose

The primary goal of the Great American Smokeout is to encourage smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and then quit smoking that day. By doing so, the event aims to highlight the health risks of smoking and the benefits of quitting. The American Cancer Society uses this day to offer resources, support, and encouragement to smokers who want to quit, emphasizing that quitting smoking can increase life expectancy and improve quality of life.

Activities and Impact

Activities during the Great American Smokeout include educational events, quit-smoking support groups, and publicity campaigns in various media. Schools, community groups, workplaces, and healthcare organizations participate by hosting events that promote quitting smoking and provide resources to help smokers quit.

The impact of the Great American Smokeout is significant, with many smokers choosing this day to make a quit attempt. The event has contributed to the broader public health campaign against smoking, leading to increased restrictions on smoking in public places, higher taxes on tobacco products, and broader awareness of smoking's health risks.

Challenges

Despite the successes of the Great American Smokeout, tobacco use remains a significant public health challenge in the United States. Nicotine addiction makes quitting difficult for many smokers, and tobacco companies continue to market their products aggressively. Addressing these challenges requires ongoing efforts from public health organizations, government agencies, and communities.

See Also

• Smoking cessation
• Tobacco control
• Lung cancer
• Heart disease