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Great American Smokeout --- November 18, 2004
In 2002, a total of 45.8 million U.S. adults (22.5%) were current smokers, a decrease from 24.1% in 1998, and
an estimated 46 million adults were former smokers
(1). For the first time, more adults had quit smoking than were
still smoking (1). To assist in continuing this trend, the American Cancer Society (ACS) is sponsoring the 28th Great American Smokeout on November 18, 2004. Cigarette smokers are encouraged to quit smoking for at least 24 hours in the hope they might stop smoking.
The likelihood of permanently quitting smoking is
increased when effective therapies are used, such as physician
assistance, pharmacologic treatment, and behavioral counseling (2). In addition to individual methods, an environmental
approach to reducing tobacco use involves increasing the excise tax for tobacco products, developing multicomponent mass media campaigns, fostering provider reminder systems, using telephone quitlines,
reducing patient out-of-pocket costs for effective cessation therapies, and reducing
exposure to secondhand smoke through smoking bans and restrictions
(3). Additional information about the Great American Smokeout is available at
http://www.cancer.org or by
telephone, 800-227-2345.
Fiore MC, Bailey WC, Cohen SJ, et al. Treating tobacco use and dependence: clinical practice guidelines. Rockville, MD: US
Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health
Service; 2000. AHQR publication 00-0032.
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