Every year, on the third Thursday of November, smokers across the nation take part in the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout. Encourage someone you know to use the date, November 17th this year, to make a plan to quit, or plan in advance and then quit smoking that day. By quitting – even for 1 day – smokers will be taking an important step toward a healthier life and reducing their cancer risk.
As we approach the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General’s report on smoking and health, remarkable progress has been made. Since 1964, smoking prevalence among US adults has been reduced by half. And yet, 43.8 million Americans – nearly 1 in every 5 adults – still smoked cigarettes in 2011. As of 2010, there were also 13.2 million cigar smokers in the US, and 2.2 million who smoke tobacco in pipes. Tobacco use remains the single-largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US.
Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits at any age. Quitting is hard, but you can increase your chances of success with help. Getting help through counseling or medications can double or triple the chances of quitting successfully.
The American Cancer Society’s Guide to Quitting Smoking has many tools and tips to help smokers beat the urge to smoke and to help nonsmokers encourage loved ones to quit. If you’re a smartphone user, get the new Quit For Life mobile app from Alere Wellbeing, available for iPhone and Android.