In 1994, an estimated 48 million U.S. adults were current
cigarette smokers; in 1996, at least 4 million U.S. adolescents
were current cigarette smokers (1,2). Since 1977, the American
Cancer Society (ACS) has sponsored the Great American Smokeout to
promote community-based activities that encourage smokers to
refrain from smoking cigarettes for at least 24 hours. This year,
the Great American Smokeout is Thursday, November 20. This
nationwide effort can increase cessation attempts (3): for example,
the 1996 promotion was associated with helping an estimated 7400
persons quit smoking (4). This year's promotion focuses on the
prevention of both cigar and cigarette smoking and cautions
children and adolescents never to start smoking.
Activities this year will include the ACS Commit to Quit
program, which helps smokers choose a method of quitting that meets
their personal needs. In addition, ACS volunteers will conduct
smoking-cessation and smoking-prevention activities for persons of
all ages at shopping malls, work sites, hospitals, military
installations, and other locations.
Additional information is available from ACS, telephone (800)
227-2345 or (404) 320-3333; CDC, telephone (800) 232-1311 or (770)
488-5705; or the ACS Great American Smokeout website on the
World-Wide Web (http://www.cancer.org).
Reported by: American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia. Office on
Smoking and Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention
and Health Promotion, CDC.
References
CDC. Cigarette smoking among adults -- United States, 1994. MMWR
1996;45:588-90.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
National Household Survey on Drug Abuse: preliminary results
from
the 1996 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Rockville,
Maryland: US Department of Health and Human Services, Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 1997; DHHS
publication no. (SMA)97-3149.
Hantula DA, Stillman FA, Waranch HR. Can a mass media campaign
modify tobacco smoking in a large organization? Evaluation of
the
Great American Smokeout in an urban hospital. J Organ Behavior
Management 1992;13:33-47.
CDC. Impact of promotion of the Great American Smokeout and
availability of over-the-counter nicotine medications, 1996.
MMWR
1997;46:867-71.
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