In 1977, when the American Cancer Society launched its first Great American Smokeout(R), no one could have guessed it would help spark a movement that would lead to smoke-free laws from California to New York City. Now for the 2003 Smokeout, the Society is calling on smokers throughout Minnesota and across the nation to go smoke-free for the day, and to consider giving up smoking for good. A national survey after the 2002 Smokeout found more than 8.8 million of the estimated 46.5 million smokers nationwide (19 percent) took part in the annual event, with nearly 2.8 million (6 percent) giving up completely for the day. Even though smoking rates have dropped dramatically in the 27 years since the first Great American Smokeout, tobacco continues to be a major cancer killer. o 46.5 million Americans are addicted to tobacco. o Smoking will cause about 30 percent of 2003’s estimated 556,500 cancer deaths. o Smoking causes many cancers besides lung cancer. It is a major cause of cancers of the mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, kidney, bladder, pancreas, and cervix, and has more recently been associated with colorectal cancer, myeloid leukemia, and cancers of the liver, stomach, and nasal sinuses. o Tobacco is as addicting as opiates, amphetamines and cocaine. o Smokers who quit by age 35 can avoid 90 percent of the risk from tobacco. o Only about 5 percent of everyday smokers are able to quit and maintain abstinence for a year, pointing to the importance of repeated attempts, multiple approaches, and ongoing support. o Combining FDA-approved medications with a program to help change behavior can double a smoker’s chance of quitting successfully. o Behavioral programs like the Society’s Quitline can achieve long-term abstinence rates of 12-18 percent in a single attempt. o Nearly half (48.8 percent) of U.S. adults who ever smoked are now former smokers. o Only 15 percent of current smokers and 7 percent of former smokers report using any of the recommended therapies in their last quit attempt, pointing to the potential for increased use of support. o Each 10-percent rise in the cost of a pack of cigarettes reduces overall cigarette consumption by about 4 percent. The American Cancer Society offers support and information for smokers who want to quit during Smokeout and every other day, 24 hours a day, by calling (800) ACS-2345 or logging onto
