Calling All Quitters

It's a great day to become a quitter!

Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, can be a memorable date in history if you decide to make it your day to quit smoking. It’s the date for this year’s Great American Smokeout — a day to decide for yourself or encourage a loved one to quit smoking.

This annual event takes place the third Thursday in November since 1976, when the California division of the American Cancer Society (ACS) convinced nearly 1 million smokers to quit for the day.

Fast forward 45 years. About 32.4 million American adults still smoke cigarettes. Smoking remains the single largest preventable cause of death and illness in the world.

Smoking causes an estimated 480,000 deaths every year, or about 1 in 5 deaths. And more than 16 million Americans live with a smoking-related disease. 

The good news is that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, slightly more than 34% of American adults smoked in 1978. Today that number is down to less than 17%.

That's a big drop. But we want the numbers even lower, and it starts with you.

You can quit too!

Making the choice to quit is the first step. There are many resources to help you on your journey to improved health. These tools include:

• Your primary care provider, who will guide you as you overcome your habit.
• Over-the-counter nicotine replacement gum, patches and other products.
• Prescription medicine to help ease cravings.
• Free help by phone or online from trained counselors through the Smokefree program.
• A national network of tobacco cessation quit lines: 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669).
• Free support and tips by text message. Sign up at Smokefree or text QUIT to 47848.
• Apps for smartphones. You can learn more about the quitSTART app online.
• Free tips and tools from the ACS at cancer.org/smokeout.

Your tobacco-fighting partner

When you’re ready to let go of tobacco, please talk with your doctor or nurse practitioner about ways they can help. They know you best and will be able give you the individualized support you need and deserve.

If you don’t have a primary care provider, call us at 503-261-6929. We’ll help you find someone who fits your life and your location.

Make this year the one that you finally say good riddance to smoking — forever!