What is the Great American Smokeout?

The Great American Smokeout is an annual event in the United States, held on the third Thursday of November each year. Organized by the American Cancer Society (ACS), this day encourages smokers to quit smoking and aims to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use. The Great American Smokeout offers smokers the chance to begin their journey toward a smoke-free life by quitting, even if just for a day, and encourages communities and loved ones to support them in making healthier choices.

The event is marked by local and national activities that promote resources, provide education on the benefits of quitting smoking, and create a supportive environment for those who are ready to make a change.

History and Origin

The Great American Smokeout began in the 1970s as a grassroots movement to promote smoking cessation. The concept started in 1970 when Arthur P. Mullaney from Randolph, Massachusetts, suggested that people quit smoking for a single day and donate the money they would have spent on cigarettes to a local high school scholarship fund. In 1976, the California chapter of the American Cancer Society picked up the idea, inspiring nearly a million people to quit for the day. Following this success, the ACS launched the first national Great American Smokeout in 1977.

Since then, the event has grown to become a powerful campaign that encourages smokers across the country to consider quitting, provides information on the benefits of a smoke-free lifestyle, and raises awareness about tobacco’s effects on health.

Who Participates in the Great American Smokeout?

• Smokers Looking to Quit: Individuals who want to quit smoking use the day as a starting point, with many setting a goal to go smoke-free for 24 hours or longer.
• Family and Friends of Smokers: Loved ones often provide support by offering encouragement, helping smokers avoid triggers, or celebrating small victories on their quit journey.
• Healthcare Providers: Doctors, nurses, and public health organizations use the day to promote smoking cessation resources, offer free counseling, and educate the public on the health risks of smoking.
• Nonprofit and Health Organizations: Groups like the American Cancer Society, health advocacy groups, and community organizations observe the day by providing resources, running awareness campaigns, and offering support to individuals wanting to quit.
• Employers and Community Centers: Many workplaces and community centers participate by hosting events, providing resources, or offering incentives for employees who take steps toward quitting smoking.

Themes and Slogans

The Great American Smokeout centers around themes of health, resilience, and community support. Common slogans include “Quit for a Day, Quit for Life”, encouraging smokers to take their first steps toward quitting, and “Break Free from Tobacco”, emphasizing the freedom and health benefits of a smoke-free lifestyle. Another popular slogan, “Every Quit Counts,” reflects the value of every attempt to quit and the importance of persistence. The day’s message is to inspire smokers to take action, however small, in their journey toward a healthier, tobacco-free life.

Colors, Symbols, and Patterns

Colors

• Red: Symbolizing strength, red is often associated with the resolve to quit smoking and the American Cancer Society’s campaign visuals.
• Green: Representing health and vitality, green underscores the health benefits of quitting smoking.
• Blue: Often used to represent calm and support, blue is associated with the support networks available to help individuals quit.

Symbols

• Broken Cigarette: A broken cigarette symbolizes the act of quitting and the commitment to a smoke-free life.
• Lung Icon: Representing the health benefits of quitting, lung symbols are often used to emphasize respiratory health and the potential for healing after quitting.
• Calendar: The calendar symbolizes setting a quit date, encouraging smokers to make a commitment to start their journey toward quitting.

Patterns

• Circles or Rings: Representing cycles and the journey of quitting, circular patterns emphasize persistence and the ongoing nature of quitting smoking.
• Check Marks: Check marks represent milestones and the achievements made along the way, such as going smoke-free for 24 hours or longer.
• Bold Lines: Strong, clean lines represent resolve and determination, embodying the strength it takes to quit smoking.

How to Participate in the Great American Smokeout

Participating in the Great American Smokeout offers various ways for smokers and supporters to get involved, make a commitment, and find support in the journey to quit smoking:

• Set a Quit Date: The Great American Smokeout encourages smokers to set this day as their quit date, making a commitment to go smoke-free for at least 24 hours.
• Use Quit Smoking Resources: Many organizations provide free resources, including hotlines, counseling services, nicotine replacement therapies, and support groups, to help smokers on their journey.
• Encourage a Loved One to Quit: Family and friends can offer support by sharing resources, helping smokers avoid triggers, and celebrating their progress.
• Join Local Events: Community centers, healthcare providers, and workplaces often host events that offer counseling, informational sessions, and support for those ready to quit.
• Share on Social Media: Many people use social media to share their quitting journey, post encouraging messages, or spread awareness about the importance of quitting smoking. Popular hashtags include #GreatAmericanSmokeout and #QuitForLife.
• Celebrate Small Victories: For smokers trying to quit, each smoke-free hour or day is a milestone. Celebrate these small wins to stay motivated.

Why is the Great American Smokeout Important?

The Great American Smokeout is important because it provides smokers with a supportive, encouraging environment to begin their journey to quit smoking. Smoking remains a leading cause of preventable death, contributing to heart disease, lung cancer, and various other health issues. By highlighting the benefits of quitting and offering resources, the Great American Smokeout empowers people to take action toward a healthier life. The day also helps reduce the stigma associated with smoking cessation attempts, showing that quitting smoking is a journey that often takes multiple tries.

For families, communities, and healthcare providers, the Great American Smokeout is a reminder of the importance of supporting loved ones who are working to quit, emphasizing that every attempt is a step toward success.