Great American Smokeout – 2019

Every year, on the third Thursday of November, smokers across the nation take part in the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout event. Encourage someone you know to use the date to make a plan to quit, or plan in advance and then quit smoking that day. By quitting – even for one day – smokers will be taking an important step toward a healthier life and reducing their cancer risk.

About 40 million Americans still smoke cigarettes, and tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the world. While cigarette smoking rates have dropped (from 42% in 1965 to 13.7% in 2018), cigars, pipes, and hookah – other dangerous and addictive ways to smoke tobacco – are very much on the rise. Smoking kills people – there’s no “safe” way to smoke tobacco.

Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits at any age. Quitting is hard, but you can increase your chances of success with help. Getting help through counseling or medications can double or triple the chances of quitting successfully.

East Jefferson General Hospital will have representatives on hand throughout the day in the Atrium on Thursday, November 21 from 8 am to 4 pm to sign those who are interested and eligible up for the hospital’s smoking cessation program.

We are raffling off a $25 Starbucks gift card as well as some smaller raffles (i.e. stress ball, cinnamon toothpicks, water bottle, etc.). We will be enrolling individuals in the Smoking Cessation Class as well as offering Carbon Monoxide readings to smokers.

For more information on the Great American Smokeout, or the Smoking Cessation program, contact Pulmonary Services at 504-503-6972.