26th Annual Great American Smokeout Is November 21, 2002
11/18/02
The American Cancer Society marks the 26th annual Great American Smokeout®, on Nov. 21st, nationally recognized as a platform to educate the public on the dangers associated with tobacco use and to encourage smokers to quit for a lifetime by starting wit
“The Great American Smokeout is a day to bring attention to quitting smoking,†said Amy Davis, regional vice president with the American Cancer Society. “While smoking is a hard habit to break, your American Cancer Society is here to help people who are ready to quit for good.â€
Smoking is the most preventable cause of death in our society, yet an estimated 47 million adults in the U.S. currently smoke. And youth smoking seems to be on the rise. Statistics show that between 1991 and 1999, cigarette smoking among high school students rose substantially from 28 to 35 percent.
Through the Great American Smokeout and other year-round tobacco cessation programs and services, the American Cancer Society continues to inform people about the dangers of smoking and tobacco use and to save lives by providing the tools to help users quit.
“Your American Cancer Society will continue to pursue groundbreaking research on the health effects of smoking as well as offer smoking prevention and cessation education to the public,†said Davis. “It is our priority to make smoking a thing of the past and to save lives.â€
For questions about the Great American Smokeout® and to learn about smoking cessation strategies, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.