If you smoke, and are open to the idea of quitting, you're in good company. Many people around the country are using tomorrow, November 21, 2013 as a quit day. The Great American Smokeout, an initiative by the American Cancer Society, takes place every year on the third Thursday in November.
Smokers are encouraged to quit smoking on this day. This could mean that you don't smoke at all on November 21, but smoke in coming days and weeks. Or, it could be that you've planned for November 21 to be the first day of a tobacco-free life. Perhaps you haven't thought of quitting smoking before this point, or haven't heard of the Great American Smokeout and don't feel prepared to quit smoking for 24 hours. Make tomorrow about making a plan to quit smoking in the future.
25% of Missouri adults state that they smoke every day or some days (2011, BRFSS). The Quit Tobacco – Make Everyone Proud campaign provides a five day plan for quitting in their article One Day Starts Today. And, if you're ready to quit, you may want to check-out our article on resources provided from former smokers – Tips from Former Smokers – I'm Ready to Quit! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) even talks about the Rewards of Quitting Smoking – Start Today.
To read more about the history of the Great American Smokeout, please click here.