Thursday is PA's Great American Smokeout Day

State Representative Joe Hackett (R-Delaware) introduced House Resolution 540 to declare Nov. 21 the Great American Smokeout Day in Pennsylvania.

The American Cancer Society marks the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday of November each year 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 the risk of cancer.

“Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States,” said Hackett. “Quitting smoking is the most important thing you can do for your health and the Great American Smokeout is an excellent way to start.”

Tobacco use accounts for at least 30 percent of all cancer deaths and 80 percent of lung cancer deaths. In the U.S., tobacco use is responsible for nearly 1 in 5 deaths, or about 443,000 premature deaths each year.

Smokers who quit, regardless of age, live longer than people who continue to smoke. In just 20 minutes after quitting smoking, heart rate and blood pressure drop, and in about 1 to 9 months after quitting, coughing and shortness of breath decrease.

The American Cancer Society created the trademarked concept for and held its first Great American Smokeout in 1976 as a way to inspire and encourage smokers to quit for a day.  One million people quit smoking for a day at the 1976 event in California.

“Let me encourage you to use Thursday, Nov. 21 as a chance to kick the habit—at least for one day,” said Hackett. “And when you realize you have the willpower to do so, even for a day, you’ll find the strength to continue the fight for a week, month, year and maybe even a lifetime.”

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. For more information call 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.