I’m embarrassed to say that today is the 36th Annual Great American Smokeout. I’m embarrassed because, even though I work in the field to prevent alcohol and other drug abuse, and nicotine is definitely an abused drug, I didn’t know that today was the Great American Smokeout until I read the Kenosha News. I know that it’s the Thursday before Thanksgiving, but, as a non-smoker, it isn’t a date that’s top of mind for me.
When I got to work I had an email from the US Food and Drug Administration, which was received at 8:30 a.m., and it said, “Today, November 17, is the Great American Smokeout. Approximately 70% of adult smokers in the U.S. report they want to quit completely. Smokers may take part and quit for the day or make plans to quit permanently. Many also use the day as a chance to encourage their friends and loved ones to quit smoking.”
The Great American Smokeout is a GREAT opportunity to encourage friends and loved ones to quit smoking or to quit yourself. Clearly, those of us leading the charge should be doing a better job of getting that message out. Rarely does someone wake up and say “I’m never going to smoke again” and then successfully rid themselves of that addiction.
Instead, quitting smoking takes planning, and so I’m embarrassed that I didn’t do my part to remind others to plan. But it’s not too late! Here are some resources if you’re part of the 70% who want to quit: http://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/NewsEvents/ucm279378.htm
You really can quit any time…even just for one day.
