LEONARDTOWN, MD (November 6, 2017) – Get ready to lose the habit and become victorious over tobacco. Every year, on the third Thursday of November, smokers across the nation take part in the American Cancer Society event, the Great American Smokeout. 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 still 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, 14.5% of adults and 22.6% of youth are currently using tobacco products.
This year on November 16, encourage someone you know to use the day to make a plan to quit, or plan in advance and then quit smoking that day. By quitting – even for 1 day – smokers will be taking an important step toward a healthier life and reducing their cancer risk.
There are many resources that can help someone quit smoking:
- FREE Quit Tobacco Classes are offered regularly throughout the community by the St. Mary’s County Health Department. Call (301) 475-4330 or go to www.smchd.org/tobacco for more information.
- Local Nicotine Anonymous® Meetings are held weekly at On Our Own of St. Mary’s County. Call (301) 997-1066 for more information.
- The State of Maryland offers a FREE Tobacco Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW), available 24 hours a day, seven days per week, to support residents who would like to quit tobacco.
- SmokefreeTXT is a free text messaging program that gives 24/7 encouragement, advice, and tips for becoming smoke-free and being healthier. Sign up at: smokefree.gov/smokefreetxt.
- Get involved in community action to reduce tobacco use in St. Mary’s County or access additional resources at: healthystmarys.com/tobacco-free-living.
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