Every year, the American Cancer Society challenges people to stop using tobacco by participating in the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday in November. This year, Nov. 17 is set aside to encourage smokers across the nation to quit for the day, reduce their smoking for the day, or simply use the day to make a plan to quit.
Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States, yet more than 46 million Americans still smoke. However, more than half of these smokers have attempted to quit for at least one day in the past year.
Quitting is hard, but the health benefits associated with discontinuing the use of tobacco significantly increases over time. In fact, within two to three months after quitting smoking, circulation and lung function increase including decreased coughing and shortness of breath. Plus, the risk of coronary heart disease, some cancers and stroke is cut in half within a few short years and eventually becomes comparable to that of a non-smoker.
In an effort to provide the healthiest environment for patients, residents, employees and guests, Sidney Health Center went tobacco-free campus-wide in June 2009. The Great American Smokeout is an opportune time for smokers to consider making a plan to quit for good. By doing so, they will be taking an important step towards a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing cancer risk.
For additional information and resources, visit the American Cancer Society online at http://www.cancer.org or call them at 1-800-227-2345 or visit the Montana Quit Line at http://tobaccofree.mt.gov/quitlinefactsheet.shtml.
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