Smokeout offers new ways to quit smoking
The American Cancer Society (ACS) celebrated the 31st anniversary of the Great American Smokeout on Nov. 15. With exactly half of the United States now protected by smoke-free laws, and a variety of cessation resources available, there has never been a better time to quit smoking and enjoy the health benefits.

Americans who smoke and want to quit are urged to call the ACS's Quitline, a clinically proven, free telephone-based counseling program, at 1-800- ACS-2345, or to log on to www.cancer.org/greatamericans, to embark on a personal plan to quit.

The society's Quitline is available in 12 states and the District of Columbia as well as in more than 75 businesses and health plans nationwide. Quitline staff have provided support to more than 280,000 smokers since its inception in 2000. Studies have shown that more than 40 percent of people who were contacted six months after completing the Quitline program remained smoke-free, which puts the society's quit rates among the highest in the industry.

The Web site www.cancer.org/ greatamericans also features new desktop helpers, including a quit clock and a craving stopper. These tools can be downloaded to a computer desktop to help smokers pick a quit day, prepare for quitting, and offer support during and after quitting. In addition, the site will continue to provide tips, tools and resources, as well as the successful Quitline call-back feature, which allows smokers to submit a short form to be directly contacted by a trained specialist who will provide assistance during a quit attempt.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General in 1990, people who quit smoking, regardless of age, live longer than people who continue to smoke, and quitting smoking substantially decreases the risk of lung, laryngeal, esophageal, oral, pancreatic, bladder and cervical cancers.

In addition to encouraging smokers to make a plan to quit, the Great American Smokeout is a day for Americans to join the ACS and its sister advocacy organization, the ACS Cancer Action Network, in their efforts to advocate for smoke-free laws in communities nationwide. The combination of smoke-free communities and smoking-cessation support is critical to helping smokers quit and stay tobaccofree.

The ACS is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the society has 13 regional divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities. For more information anytime, call (800) ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Barbara Sprechman Director of Community

Services Prevention First

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