To improve health care throughout the U.S., the American Cancer Society has promoted the Great American Smokeout every third Thursday of November for over 40 years. As the day approaches this year, learn more about its origin and purpose. For smokers, this is an opportune time to try to make a fresh start free of tobacco. 

What Is the Great American Smokeout? 

In 1970, Arthur Mullaney challenged the citizens of Randolph, MA, to avoid cigarettes for an entire day and donate the money they saved to a high school scholarship fund. After that, Lynn Smith led the state’s first Don’t Smoke Day in 1974. From there, the idea grew into the first official Great American Smokeout, held on November 18, 1976, in California and sponsored by the American Cancer Society. It’s been an annual event nationwide ever since.

The Great American Smokeout has proven highly effective in raising awareness of the ways that smoking is not only expensive but also highly detrimental to people’s health. It causes cancers and chronic illnesses that require long-term health care at hospitals.

In the past few decades, laws have restricted smoking in public areas and workplaces as well as forced tobacco companies to be honest and responsible in their marketing and advertising. 

Who Can Benefit From It? 

There isn’t anyone who can’t benefit from the Great American Smokeout. Tobacco smokers receive support and education to get them started on the journey toward quitting permanently. Non-smokers are less likely to be exposed to the effects of secondhand smoke as well.

Even vapers, of whom there are over 40 million worldwide, can benefit from the chance to give up e-cigarettes. Vaping may be less harmful than regular cigarettes but still contains levels of nicotine and other chemicals that can cause cancer and lung disease.

Health care services are available for anyone who wants to be free from the effects of smoking, both on Great American Smokeout Day and beyond. 

When Great American Smokeout Day comes along, contact Kona Community Hospital of Kealakekua, HI, for health care services geared toward helping you quit for good. All 500 expert members of their staff will treat you like family, which is why the hospital has been around for 100 years. They also offer cancer services. Whatever help you need, check out their website to see what they offer, or make a visit in person.