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Great American Smokeout --- November 20, 2008
Approximately 43.4 million (or one in five) U.S. adults are current smokers
(1), and smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke
result in approximately 443,000 premature deaths in the United States annually
(2). November 20, 2008, marks the American
Cancer Society's 32nd annual Great American Smokeout, an event that encourages smokers to quit for at least 1 day (in the hope that
this might challenge them to stop using tobacco permanently) and that raises awareness of the many effective ways to quit for good.
Smoking cessation has substantial and immediate health benefits, and smokers who use proven interventions (e.g., assistance from
a health-care provider, pharmacotherapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and behavioral counseling) greatly
increase their likelihood of quitting permanently
(3). Smokers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and certain U.S. territories who
want help in quitting can telephone 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) for free telephone counseling or referrals.
Fiore MC, Jaen CR, Baker TB, et al. Treating tobacco use and dependence: 2008 update. Clinical practice guideline. Rockville, MD: US
Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service; 2008. Available at
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=hstat2.chapter.28163.
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