Great American Smokeout

Great American Smokeout. The Great American Smokeout is an annual observance in the United States that encourages individuals to quit using tobacco products for a day, with the hope of inspiring permanent cessation. Held on the third Thursday of November, the event is organized by the American Cancer Society and supported by numerous public health organizations. It serves as a focal point for raising awareness about the health risks of smoking and promoting available cessation resources.

History and origins

The origins of the event trace back to a 1970 event in Randolph, Massachusetts, where guidance counselor Arthur P. Mullaney encouraged people to give up cigarettes for a day and donate the money to a high school scholarship fund. This local initiative inspired similar efforts, including a 1974 event in Monticello, Minnesota, promoted by the Minneapolis-based Lynn R. Smith in his newspaper column. The American Cancer Society took note and, in 1977, officially launched a statewide event in California under the leadership of then-CEO William H. Foege. Following its success, the society expanded it into a nationwide observance, solidifying its place on the national public health calendar alongside campaigns like the World No Tobacco Day organized by the World Health Organization.

Purpose and goals

The primary purpose is to motivate smokers to commit to quitting by providing a shared, socially supported starting point. A core goal is to educate the public about the severe health consequences of tobacco use, which include lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema, and stroke, as documented by entities like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Surgeon General of the United States. The event also aims to publicize and increase access to proven cessation tools, such as nicotine replacement therapy, counseling services, and support lines like the National Cancer Institute's quitline. Furthermore, it seeks to advocate for stronger tobacco control policies, mirroring objectives found in legislation like the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.

Activities and participation

Activities are coordinated at national and local levels, often involving health fairs, public service announcement campaigns, and cessation challenges promoted through media outlets. Many employers, hospitals, and community groups, including the YMCA and local American Heart Association chapters, host on-site events offering health screenings and support. Schools and universities, such as those within the University of California system, frequently organize educational workshops and "cold turkey" pledge drives. Participation is also driven digitally, with campaigns on platforms like Facebook and Twitter using hashtags to share stories and tips, and through partnerships with pharmacies like CVS Health, which has discontinued tobacco sales.

Impact and effectiveness

While measuring direct, long-term quit rates attributable solely to the event is challenging, it consistently generates significant increases in calls to quitlines and visits to cessation websites like Smokefree.gov. The day serves as a critical annual reminder that contributes to the declining smoking prevalence in the U.S., a trend supported by data from the National Health Interview Survey. The observance has also proven effective in keeping tobacco control in the public discourse, influencing community norms and supporting the work of agencies like the Food and Drug Administration in regulating tobacco. Its model has inspired similar single-day cessation events in other countries, demonstrating its broad public health utility.

Related initiatives and events

The Great American Smokeout aligns with a larger ecosystem of tobacco control efforts. Internationally, it shares themes with the World Health Organization's World No Tobacco Day held each May. In the U.S., it is complemented by ongoing campaigns like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Tips From Former Smokers" and the Truth Initiative's youth prevention programs. Monthly observances such as the American Lung Association's "Lung Cancer Awareness Month" in November also synergize with the event. Furthermore, state-level initiatives like California's Tobacco Education and Research Oversight Committee programs and legislation such as the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement work in concert to reduce tobacco use nationwide. Category:Health campaigns in the United States Category:American Cancer Society Category:Smoking cessation Category:Recurring events established in 1977 Category:November observances