ACS Urges Smokers to Quit On Smoke Out Day

In cities and at universities across the country the American Cancer Society and various advocate groups set up information booths and handed out brochures complete with photos of smoker's lungs and tip sheets on ways to quit.

The group also urged smokers to call their Quitline – a free telephone counseling service – and visit their website which added new features such as the 'quit clock' and a 'craving stopper'.

“We urge smokers to learn more about quitting and make a plan to begin a smoke-free life,” said Elmer E. Huerta, the Society's president in a website announcement.

According to Blue Cross-Blue Shield smoking kills 400,000 people a year and is the leading preventable cause of death. The Surgeon General reports that, regardless of age, those who quit live longer and are at reduced risk of lung, cervical, and other forms of cancer.

Over 2,200 US cities have in recent years passed smoke-free laws and more than half the countries population live in communities with anti-smoking regulations.

“By continuing efforts to reduce exposure to toxic secondhand smoke, and helping more Americans quit smoking,” said advocate Dr Huerta in the Society's press release, “we will continue to make progress against cancer.”