Mark your calendar and commit to quitting
The Great American Smokeout takes place every November, encouraging people who smoke or vape to make a plan to quit. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States.[1] Quitting—even if it takes several tries—can improve your health.
Whether you smoke cigarettes or use e-cigarettes (vape), the Great American Smokeout is your chance to commit to quitting. More than 3 out of 5 adults who have ever smoked cigarettes have quit.[2]
When is the Great American Smokeout?
The Great American Smokeout happens every year on the third Thursday in November.
How can the Great American Smokeout help me quit?
The Great American Smokeout is a chance to make a plan to quit. By making a realistic plan, you set yourself up for success. By participating, you will join thousands of others taking this important step toward better health.
What are the health risks of smoking and vaping?
Cigarettes and vapes often include cancer-causing chemicals and nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive substance in tobacco products and some vaping liquids that make it hard to quit. While each type of product has different risks, they all pose serious dangers to your health.
Cigarettes
The health risks of smoking cigarettes:
// Cancer
// Chronic lung conditions (COPD, emphysema)
// Heart disease[3]
// Stroke[4]
Vapes or e-cigarettes
The health risks of vaping:
// Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals
// Make it more likely to get asthma or other lung conditions
// Lung scarring
// Potential organ damage[5]
Where can I access resources and support for my journey to quitting?
Quitting can be tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. There are many resources to help you quit and maintain a tobacco-free life.
- See if you are eligible for a Lung Screening at United Hospital Center. Call 681-342-3069 or visit www.wvlungcenter.com for more information.
- To find out more about Smoking Cessation at United Hospital Center please call 681-342-4500.
- See if you are eligible for the West Virginia Tobacco Quit Line program and benefit from sessions with a certified treatment tobacco specialist.
- Visit the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout website for tools and resources and to learn how others have quit smoking.
- Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Great American Smokeout page for detailed information about quit support services and the benefits of quitting.
[1] CDC. Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults in the United States
[2] CDC. The Great American Smokeout
[3] CDC. Health Effects of Cigarettes: Cardiovascular Disease
[4] CDC. Health Effects of Cigarettes: Cardiovascular Disease
[5] Cleveland Clinic. Does Vaping Cause Lung Cancer?
Please note, the information provided throughout this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and video, on or available through this website is for general information purposes only. If you are experiencing related symptoms, please visit your doctor or call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
