The Great American Smokeout - a good time to quit
When my dad reached for a cigarette he used to joke, “I’m going to drive another nail in my coffin,” he’d laugh.I never laughed once at that joke. It wasn’t funny. I was forced to say goodbye to him in 2002 when he died during a short bout with cancer. He didn’t get to see his favorite granddaughter start nursing school. He wasn’t there when she went to the prom or homecoming. He missed his youngest granddaughter landing the lead roles in many plays and musicals. He missed out on many weddings, birthdays and other family celebrations, but, more than that…we miss him.
If you’re a smoker and you’ve even thought for a second about quitting…this is your chance. On Nov. 19, the American Cancer Society will hold their annual event, the Great American Smokeout. The sole purpose of this event is to set aside a specific day to help smokers quit smoking and quit using tobacco products, for at least one day, with the hope that they will quit completely.
Not only does the event challenge people to stop using tobacco, it helps to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking and the many effective ways available to quit smoking permanently.
Dr. D.J. McFadden, Holmes County health commissioner, said this year the emphasis of the Great American Smokeout is on providing everyone the tools they need to quit for good, so if you’re a smoker, you couldn’t pick a better time to kick the habit. McFadden also explained how the event started.
“Historically, the original Great (American) Smokeout was a fundraiser,” he said. “Folks were asked to give up smoking for one day and donate the money that they would have spent on cigarettes to a scholarship fund. That is the event that started the Great American Smokeout. Now that day is really meant to focus on resources and tools needed to quit smoking for life. Individuals are still asked to give up smoking just for one day, but the goal is to have people start the process to becoming former smokers.”
The fundraising event McFadden referred to occurred in 1971 in Massachusetts and was instrumental in the formation of the first smokeout event held in California on Nov. 18, 1976. The American Cancer Society launched the event nationwide the following year and the rest is history.
McFadden isn’t sure why individuals today even start smoking considering all the information available on the harmful effects of smoking.
“I believe it may just be the fact that smoking is still taboo,” he said. “It is also something that folks may feel they need to do to fit in or perhaps just the rebellion of youth. It is hard to say why people start, but we know why people continue smoking… because nicotine is addicting.”
Even though nicotine is addicting, it’s imperative for smokers to try and quit. Smoking causes many health conditions and is directly linked to lung cancer and heart disease. Regardless of how long you’ve smoked, quitting now will make a difference.
“When we consider heart disease, lung disease, and cancer, and the role that smoking plays in these diseases, smoking is the leading cause of death in our nation,” McFadden added. “While most people are afraid of cancer, the risk of having a heart attack in smokers is much higher than the risk of cancer, although it is not a certainty that a smoker will develop cancer or heart disease, as other factors such as diet and genetics play a role as well.
“We are actively pursing a grant to bring cessation programs back to the health department,” McFadden said. “Your Human Resource Center has been involved in cessation in the past. We are working with them to pursue a program at the health department again so we offer our residents the tools and resources to help them quit smoking if that is their desire.”
Cessation programs have great success rates and can provide communities with strong resources and tools to help citizens quit smoking for good.
Research shows that smokers are most successful in kicking the habit when they have some means of support, such as nicotine replacement products, counseling, prescription medicine to lessen cravings, guide books, and the encouragement of friends and family members.
The addiction of nicotine is strong, but the joy of life and the anticipation of seeing your kids and grandkids grow up is much stronger. If you don’t think you can quit for yourself…then try to quit for those you’ll leave behind. They’ll be happy you did and so will you.