The Great American Smokeout

The American Cancer Society is marking the 37th Great American Smokeout on November 15 by encouraging smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By quitting even for one day smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life one that can lead to reducing cancer risk. Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet about 43.8 million Americans still smoke cigarettes Nearly 1 in every 5 adults. As of 2010, there were also 13.2 million cigar smokers in the US, and 2.2 million who smoke tobacco in pipes other dangerous and addictive forms of tobacco.

What do I need to know about quitting?

The National Toxicology Program of the National Institutes of Health continues to classify smokeless tobacco as a known human carcinogenproven to cause cancer in people. US Surgeon General Richard Carmona, MD, MPH Smokeless tobacco is less lethal than cigarettes for most people, but using any form of tobacco puts you at serious health risks. All forms of oral tobacco have chemicals that cause cancer (carcinogens). These products can cause cancer of the mouth, pancreas, and esophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach). Oral and smokeless tobacco also cause many other health problems, such as gum disease, destruction of the bone sockets around the teeth, and tooth loss. They cause bad breath and stained teeth, too. Smokeless tobacco products are called by a lot of names: oral tobacco, chewing, snuff, spit, and spitless tobacco, to name a few. No matter what its called, smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to smoking. The bottom line: All forms of tobacco can be deadly. We hope youre reading this because you want to quit using smokeless tobacco. Its hard to quit smokeless tobacco, but you can do it. To have the best chance of quitting and staying quit, you need to know what youre up against, what your options are, and where to go for help. Youll find this information here.

More Information About Quitting

Quitting is hard, but you can increase your chances of success with help. The American Cancer Society can tell you about the steps you can take to quit smoking and provide anti-smoking programs, resources and support that can increase your chances of quitting successfully. To learn about the available tools, call us at 1-800-227-2345. You can also find free tips and tools below.

More information from your American Cancer Society

Here is more information you might find helpful. You also can order free copies of our documents from our toll-free number, 1-800-227-2345, or read them on our Web site, www.cancer.org.
More about quitting

Guide to Quitting Smoking Helping a Smoker Quit: Dos and Donts

Smoking and health

Questions About Smoking, Tobacco, and Health Cigarette Smoking Cigar Smoking Tobacco-Related Cancers Fact Sheet The American Cancer Society also has books that you might find helpful. Call us at 1-800-2272345 or visit our bookstore online at cancer.org to find out about costs or to place an order. Kicking Butts No Thanks, but Id Love to Dance: Choosing to Live Smoke-Free (for kids ages 4-10) Reduce Your Cancer Risk: Twelve Steps to a Healthier Life

National organizations and Web sites*

If you are trying to quit smoking and need help, contact the American Cancer Society or one of these other sources of information and support: Nicotine Anonymous (NicA) Toll-free number: 1-877-879-6422 (1-877-TRY-NICA) Web site: www.nicotine-anonymous.org Has quit-smoking information in many languages; also has a list of 12-step NicA meetings worldwide for face-to-face peer support and information on how to start a group in your area QuitNet Web site: www.quitnet.com

Offers free, cutting edge, services to people trying to quit tobacco, including 24/7 online support Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office on Smoking and Health Toll-free smoking cessation line: 1-800-784-8669 (1-800-QUIT-NOW) TTY: 1-800-332-8615 Online help for quitting: www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/how_to_quit/index.htm Free phone-based coaching that can help you quit smoking; Web site also links to other online quitting resources National Cancer Institute Toll-free number: 1-800-422-6237 (1-800-4-CANCER) for cancer information Web page: www.cancer.gov Tobacco quit line: 1-800-784-8669 (1-800-QUIT-NOW) Smoking cessation online: www.smokefree.gov Has a lot of quitting information, tools to help you quit, and offers free live support. Go to smokefree.gov to sign up for SmokefreeTXT. This service provides 24/7 encouragement, advice, and tips to help you stop smoking for good. American Heart Association Toll-free number: 1-800-242-8721 (1-800-AHA-USA-1) Web site: www.americanheart.org Has tips for how to quit smoking and why you should do it at www.everydaychoices.org or by calling 1-866-399-6789
*Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by the American Cancer Society.

No matter who you are, we can help. Contact us anytime, day or night, for information and support. Call us at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

References
ACS Great American Smokeout Promotion Guide, Nov. 16, 1989. American Cancer Society. Kicking Butts: Quit Smoking and Take Charge of Your Health 2nd Ed. Atlanta, GA. American Cancer Society, 2010. National Cancer Institute. How To Handle Withdrawal Symptoms and Triggers When You Decide To Quit Smoking. Accessed at www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/symptoms-triggers-quitting on October 3, 2012. Tobacco Control Research Branch of the National Cancer Institute. Stress and Smoking. Accessed at www.smokefree.gov/topic-stress.aspx on October 3, 2012.