Since 1977, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has sponsored
the Great American Smokeout to foster community-based activities
that encourage cigarette and smokeless-tobacco users to stop using
tobacco products for at least 24 hours. Local activities for the
Great American Smokeout include distributing anti-tobacco-use
materials to interested schools, hospitals, businesses, and other
organizations; encouraging retail businesses not to sell tobacco
products and restaurants and other businesses to be smoke-free for
the day; and providing media coverage of prominent local citizens
who have pledged to stop smoking for the day.
During 1991, 83% of adults in the United States knew of the
Great American Smokeout, an increase of approximately 2% from 1990
(1). Approximately one third of U.S. smokers participated in this
national campaign: 7.1 million (14.2%) smokers reported quitting
for the day, and 10.6 million (21.3%) reported reducing the number
of cigarettes consumed on that day (1). In addition, approximately
1 million more smokers reported quitting smoking for 1-3 days after
the Smokeout in 1991 than did in 1990 (1). Although fewer black and
Hispanic smokers knew of the Smokeout, an estimated 25% of those
who did know participated, and 14% of black and Hispanic smokers
who participated reported that they were not smoking 1-3 days after
the Smokeout (1).
This year, the Great American Smokeout will be on Thursday,
November 19. This year's objective is for 25% of smokers to give up
smoking for the 24-hour period. The goal of the Smokeout is to
encourage cessation and, by doing so, to help smokers to realize
that if they can quit for 24 hours, they can quit permanently.
Information is available from local chapters of the ACS; telephone
numbers of these local chapters are available by telephoning (800)
227-2345.
Reported by: American Cancer Society, Atlanta. Office on Smoking
and Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion, CDC.
Reference
Lieberman Research Inc. A study of the impact of the 1991 Great
American Smokeout: summary, Gallup Organization. New York: American
Cancer Society, 1991.
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