Since 1977, individuals have participated in the Great American Smoke Out events across the country. This day, which is held every third Thursday in November and hosted by the American Cancer Society, encourages smokers to stop smoking for one day, in hopes that they will quit for good. Tobacco use is the largest preventable cause of death in the world (American Cancer Society, 2016). Approximately, 40 million Americans smoke.

Cigarette smoking is more common among American Indians/Alaska Natives than any other racial/ethnic group in the U.S., 29.2% (CDC, 2016). The Forest County Potawatomi Community Health Department does provide a smoking cessation program at no cost to Tribal members. Contact (715) 478-4355 for additional information.

References

• American Cancer Society. (2016). The Great American Smokeout. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/healthy/stayawayfromtobacco/greatamericansmokeout/index
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). November: Great American Smokeout (GASO) News Release. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/calendar/nov/gaso/news_release/index.htm
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2016). Tips from Former Smokers for Specific Groups: American Indian/Alaska Natives. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/groups/american-indian-alaska-native.html