The Smoke-Free Nashville coalition shares this announcement about the Great American SmokeOut:

With the Great American SmokeOut on November 20, 2008 and NYE just around the corner, now is the time many smokers start thinking about quitting.

It’s a fact: all cancers caused by cigarette smoking could be prevented completely.

On Thursday, November 20, the American Cancer Society will be observing their 33rd Great American SmokeOut.  The Great American Smokeout was inaugurated in 1976 to inspire and encourage smokers to quit for one day.  

On this Great American SmokeOut, the Smoke-Free Nashville coalition will canvass the city to encourage smokers to quit for the day and commit to making a long-term quit plan by offering information and tips about quitting, along with incentives for those willing to throw their cigarettes away and try to quit for the day.  

“Our goal for the day is to reach out to those smokers standing outside of buildings, workplaces and restaurants and provide them information about quitting and try to encourage them to quit for the day” says Robert Taylor, facilitator of the Smoke-Free Nashville coalition.  “We want to give them some encouragement and let them know that there is help out there, if they are ready.”  
   
For other help quitting tobacco, the Tennessee Department of Health has established the Tennessee Tobacco Quitline; 1-800 QUIT NOW.  Callers to the quitline are assigned to a free quit coach and receive free stop smoking materials.  Thru the quitline, callers receive help in identifying barriers to quitting, reasons to quit and set a quit date.  Additionally, your quit coach will provide strategies and support for relapse prevention.

Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. Each year, smoking accounts for an estimated 438,000 premature deaths, including 38,000 deaths among nonsmokers as a result of secondhand smoke. Half of all Americans who continue to smoke will die from smoking-related diseases.

The Smoke-Free Nashville coalition was established in 1994 and is     
compromised of health organizations and community volunteers dedicated
to creating an environment where tobacco use is no longer accepted thru     
community education and outreach, as well as advocating for sound tobacco
control policies.  To join in the coalition’s efforts, please call 615-340-0401.