Join the Great American Smokeout to Finish the Fight Against Tobacco

Quitting tobacco isn’t easy but it’s one of the best ways to prevent cancer.  And not only lung cancer. Whether you're a smoker, or supporting a friend or loved who’s trying to quit, the American Cancer Society can help. The Society’s Great American Smokeout on November 21 offers would-be quitters a target quit date and support and resources to help make quitting a reality.

                To increase chances of success the Society encourages smokers to:

•              Call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345, 24/7.

•              Find tips and tools at cancer.org/smokeout to help quit for good.

•              Set a quit date and track your progress on the Quit For Life mobile app powered by Alere Wellbeing.

•                       Use the quit tips in the accompanying sidebar.

•              Beat smoking cravings and curb frustration with our free mobile game, Zombie Smokeout at the iTunes Store or cancer.org/smokeout. Developed in 2012, the game has had more than 14,000 downloads to date.

                 “Zombie Smokeout was developed in 2012 to help smokers keep their hands busy when the craving for a cigarette occurs,” said Sabrina Sexton, Digital Experience Strategist for the American Cancer Society. “Most people have their mobile device with them at all times. Zombie Smokeout can be a fun distraction until the intensity of a tobacco craving passes.”

                Besides lung cancer, tobacco use increases the risk for cancers of the mouth, lips, nasal cavity and sinuses, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder, uterus, cervix, colon/rectum, ovary, and acute myeloid leukemia. In the US tobacco use is responsible for nearly 1 in 5 deaths, or about 443,000 early deaths each year. Tobacco use accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths and 87% of lung cancer deaths. (Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2013)

                The American Cancer Society held the first Great American Smokeout® in 1976 to inspire and encourage smokers to quit for a day.  One million people quit that day at the California event. Since then the Great American Smokeout has encouraged countless smokers to make long-term plans to quit. Find tips and tools online to help quit smoking for good.