LEONARDTOWN, MD (November 9, 2015) – Each year, on the third Thursday of November, smokers across the nation take part in the Great American Smokeout, sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The Great American Smokeout challenges people to stop using tobacco for this one day in the hope they may quit for good.
About 42 million Americans smoke cigarettes, and tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. In St. Mary’s County, 25% of adults and 19% of youth are currently using tobacco products. Quitting has immediate and long-term benefits for smokers and their loved ones.
The Tobacco Free Living Action Team of the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership invites the community to celebrate the Great American Smokeout on November 19. Planning a “quit day” increases the chance of quitting for good. Tobacco users can use this day to quit or to make a plan to quit.
On November 19, community members may sign a pledge to quit and pick up a free Quit-Kit at the following locations:
- St. Mary’s County Health Department: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital (Lobby in the Outpatient Pavilion): 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- College of Southern Maryland (Leonardtown Campus): 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Hope Place of Walden (Lexington Park): 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- The Coffee Quarter Café in San Souci Plaza: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
There are many tools that can help people quit and increase their chances of staying tobacco-free. For more resources, visit www.healthystmarys.com/tobacco-free-living or call (301) 475-4330.
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