Published: November 18, 2008 03:37 pm            

Time to quit blowing smoke | Cancer society promotes annual smokeout

While we respect smokers’ rights as long as they don’t infringe on those of nonsmokers, we hope everyone who lights up takes a day off on Thursday.

That’s when the American Cancer Society promotes its 33rd Great American Smokeout, inaugurated in 1976 to inspire and encourage smokers to quit for one day.

The ultimate hope, of course, is that many of those who get through one day will set off on a path to ending their addiction.

Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

The cancer-prevention folks also use the occasion to advertise the society’s resources and those of others whose aim is to help people end their ties to nicotine and the other harmful substances found in tobacco.

According to the American Cancer Society, 44.2 percent of the 45.3 million Americans who smoke have attempted to quit for at least one day in the past year. That’s amazing.

It shows that more people want to rid themselves of the habit than readily admit it.

Smoking’s harmful effects are well documented. 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 among nonsmokers as a result of secondhand smoke. Half of all Americans who continue to smoke will die from smoking-related diseases.

In Pennsylvania, 7,780 people died from lung cancer in 2007, according to cancer society statistics.

To be blunt, smoking stinks.

The commonwealth in September became the 25th state to ban smoking in a selected number of public places.

Although we still do not agree with some of the principles of the legislation, there’s no question the law has been met with the approval of a majority of the state’s residents.

Some legislators have vowed to make it even more restrictive and plan to begin that push in the January session. No doubt they’ll have the blessing of a large number of constituents.

A lot of help is available for those wishing to kick the habit.

The American Cancer Society offers a Pennsylvania Free Quitline at 1-800-QUITNOW. Callers are able to speak with a trained counselor and receive free, confidential counseling.

In addition, smoking cessation classes are offered by area hospitals, including those under the Conemaugh Health System umbrella and at Windber Medical Center and Somerset Hospital.

Forty-three states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have raised tobacco taxes since 2000.

Smokers nationwide now face an average cost of $4.32 for one pack of cigarettes, not including all taxes.

Smoking is costly, to a person’s wallet and to his health. We hope all of our readers think about this on Thursday and give their lungs a break, even if it’s for only one day.

        

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