The Tioga County Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc. (TCCASA) is announcing their collaboration with Tobacco Free Broome/Tioga for their participation in the Great American Smoke-Out (GASO) on Thursday, Nov. 20 from noon to 2 p.m. GASO is an informal holiday promoted by the American Cancer Society on the third Thursday of November each year. Smokers are encouraged to make a plan to quit, even if for one day.
TCCASA, along with Tobacco Free Broome/Tioga, are giving the public an opportunity to turn in tobacco products to help raise the awareness about the dangers of smoking while promoting healthy lifestyle choices.
Bring your tobacco for a “stop and drop” disposal at the park area across from the Owego Elks Club on Front Street in Owego. Participants will be asked to sign a pledge to quit smoking for one day, with hopes it will be for life. The service is free.
For every five cigarettes or tin of chew turned in you will be entered to win one of five frozen turkeys, provided by the Owego Price Chopper, the Owego TOPS Friendly Market, and TCCASA. If you can show that you have joined a gym during the month of November, you will earn five more entries upon turning in your tobacco.
This initiative addresses a vital public health issue. Smoking is responsible for one in three cancer related deaths and one in five deaths, for any cause. When smoking, a person will reduce their life span by approximately ten years according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
By quitting smoking, a person can have a better quality of life – like having more stamina and recapturing the abilities to taste and smell. For those looking for more information on quitting, they can call the New York State Smokers Quit-line at 1-866-697-8487 or by visiting www.nysmokefree.com.
For further information, please contact TCCASA directly at (607) 687-6349 or by email to info@tccasa.org, or Tobacco Free Broome/Tioga at (607) 687-4020 or visit www.tobaccofreebt.org.
