Karenluvs6
11-15-2000, 04:58 PM
Join The Great American Smokeout
The American Cancer Society's annual Great American Smokeout is
tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 16. For more than two decades, this day
has motivated smokers across the nation to quit for 24 hours in
the hopes that it would lead to permanent cessation. Occurring
every third Thursday of November since 1977, the event has drawn
millions of participants.
In recent years, this has expanded beyond the concept of quitting
smoking to include active campaigns to prevent teens and children
from ever starting in the first place, and for good reason.
According to the American Cancer Society:
-- Every day more than 3,000 adolescents in the United States
smoke their first cigarette. One-third of these new smokers
will eventually die of tobacco-related diseases.
-- 89 percent of all people who ever try a cigarette do so by
age 18.
-- Very few individuals start smoking during adulthood.
-- Among addictive behaviors, cigarette smoking is the one most
likely to take hold during adolescence. Recent data suggest
that the prevalence of smoking is increasing among 8th- and
10th-grade students.
Even more sobering are the statistics for smokers in general:
-- Tobacco is responsible for nearly one in every five deaths
in the United States.
-- Smoking claims more than 400,000 lives a year.
If you're ready to stop smoking, or to help someone else who is,
the American Cancer Society offers these tips:
-- Spend your free time in places where smoking is prohibited --
libraries, museums, theaters, etc.
-- Avoid alcohol, coffee and other beverages that you associate
with smoking.
-- Drink large quantities of water and fruit juice.
-- If you miss having something in your mouth, try toothpicks,
cinnamon sticks or celery.
-- Keep your hands busy with a marble, pencil, paper clip --
anything you can fiddle with.
-- Avoid temptation by staying away from situations that you
associate with smoking.
-- Brush your teeth.
-- Eat several small meals.
-- Exercise! A recent study conducted at the Miriam Hospital in
Providence, R.I., found that women who exercised vigorously
while trying to quit smoking were twice as likely to kick the
habit. They also gained about half the weight of women who
tried to quit without the benefit of regular exercise.
The American Cancer Society's annual Great American Smokeout is
tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 16. For more than two decades, this day
has motivated smokers across the nation to quit for 24 hours in
the hopes that it would lead to permanent cessation. Occurring
every third Thursday of November since 1977, the event has drawn
millions of participants.
In recent years, this has expanded beyond the concept of quitting
smoking to include active campaigns to prevent teens and children
from ever starting in the first place, and for good reason.
According to the American Cancer Society:
-- Every day more than 3,000 adolescents in the United States
smoke their first cigarette. One-third of these new smokers
will eventually die of tobacco-related diseases.
-- 89 percent of all people who ever try a cigarette do so by
age 18.
-- Very few individuals start smoking during adulthood.
-- Among addictive behaviors, cigarette smoking is the one most
likely to take hold during adolescence. Recent data suggest
that the prevalence of smoking is increasing among 8th- and
10th-grade students.
Even more sobering are the statistics for smokers in general:
-- Tobacco is responsible for nearly one in every five deaths
in the United States.
-- Smoking claims more than 400,000 lives a year.
If you're ready to stop smoking, or to help someone else who is,
the American Cancer Society offers these tips:
-- Spend your free time in places where smoking is prohibited --
libraries, museums, theaters, etc.
-- Avoid alcohol, coffee and other beverages that you associate
with smoking.
-- Drink large quantities of water and fruit juice.
-- If you miss having something in your mouth, try toothpicks,
cinnamon sticks or celery.
-- Keep your hands busy with a marble, pencil, paper clip --
anything you can fiddle with.
-- Avoid temptation by staying away from situations that you
associate with smoking.
-- Brush your teeth.
-- Eat several small meals.
-- Exercise! A recent study conducted at the Miriam Hospital in
Providence, R.I., found that women who exercised vigorously
while trying to quit smoking were twice as likely to kick the
habit. They also gained about half the weight of women who
tried to quit without the benefit of regular exercise.