Nov. 19 2015, is the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout® event. Every year, The American Cancer Society sets aside the third Thursday of November to encourage smokers to go the distance and give up smoking. Overcoming the obstacles of addiction can feel like a personal competition, but on Nov. 19 The American Cancer Society is encouraging employers to get in the game and quit tobacco- at least for a day.
Organizations and municipalities are encouraged to participate in the “Quit Like a Champion” campaign by making their worksite grounds 100 percent tobacco-free on Nov. 19. Employers can post tobacco-free and no smoking signs at building entryways to inform employees and patrons that they have “Quit Like a Champion” for The Great American Smokeout. The American Cancer Society states that a tobacco-free environment creates a safer, healthier workplace and supports tobacco users who want to quit.
Smokers wishing to quit are invited to pick up a “Quit Like a Champion” kit at TCCASA located at 6 McMaster St., Suite 4 in Owego between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
“Quitting smoking is a challenge, but if you can win one day, you can win them all. We are proud to be a part of the Quit Like a Champion campaign,” says Chrisite Speciale, executive director of The Tioga County Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc. (TCCASA). “We want smoker’s to know that we are in their corner and will do what we can to help them quit.”
Visit cancer.org/smokeout for “Quit Like a Champion” posters, toolkits and helpful tools for smokers such as the Smokeout Countdown clock for your desktop, or call the New York State Smokers’ Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487).
In New York State about 2.5 million people still smoke cigarettes and tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death killing 28,200 people each year.
Organizations interested in adopting a policy to make their worksite grounds and entryways tobacco-free are encouraged to contact Lisa Weston-Bialy at lw345@cornell.edu or call 687-4020 for information and assistance.
