Great American Smoke-out 2019

By: Kelsey Sample – Youth Leadership Council (YLC)

November 21, 2019, is the Great American Smoke-out. The American Cancer Society has hosted the Great American Smoke-out for 40 years. This day is an opportunity for those who smoke to commit to living healthy, smoke-free lives - not just for a day, but year-round. This date also encourages people to use the date to make a plan to quit. The Great American Smoke-out event challenges people to stop smoking and helps people learn about the many tools they can use to help them quit and stay smoke-free.

More than 16 million Americans are living with a disease caused by smoking. Smoking leads to disease and disability and harms nearly every organ of the body. Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smoking also increases the risk of tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, and problems of the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis.

Smoking not only affects the smoker, but it also affects their loved ones and anyone who comes into contact with them. Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including hundreds that are toxic and about 70 that can cause cancer. Secondhand smoke harms both children and adults. In children, secondhand smoke causes several health effects such as ear infections, more frequent and severe asthma attacks, respiratory system illnesses (coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath), respiratory infections (bronchitis and pneumonia) and a greater risk for SIDS. In adults who have never smoked, secondhand smoke can cause heart disease, lung cancer, and stroke. Separating smokers from non-smokers, opening windows, or using air filters does not prevent people from breathing secondhand smoke. Most exposure to secondhand smoke comes from homes, workplaces, public places, as well as cars and other vehicles. There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure; even brief exposure can be harmful to health. Since 1964, approximately 2,500,000 nonsmokers have died from health problems caused by exposure to secondhand smoke. If you don’t want to quit for yourself quit so your family and those around you can lead healthy lives.

Quitting is hard. Addiction to nicotine in cigarettes is one of the strongest and most deadly addictions one can have. Quitting takes commitment and starts with a plan, often takes more than one quit attempt, and requires a lot of support. The American Cancer Society can tell you about the steps you can take to quit smoking and provide quit-smoking programs, resources, and support that can increase your chances of quitting successfully. To learn about the available tools, call them at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org/smoke-out. Research shows that people who smoke are most successful in their efforts to stop smoking when they have support, such as Telephone quitlines, American Cancer Society Fresh Start Program, Nicotine Anonymous meetings, Self-help books and materials, Smoking counselors or coaches, Encouragement and support from friends and family members.  Use this day as your opportunity to quit tobacco use. And start leading a healthier lifestyle for you and your loved ones.

For more information on the YLC organization or any of their activities, you may contact the SAFE Coalition at safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org or 319-293-3334 ext. 1017.