America needs to quit the Great American Smokeout

In the more than half a century since the Surgeon General's first report on smoking and health, the smoking rate among adults in this country has been reduced by about half. But a sadder way of looking at this is since that first report in 1964, 20 million people died due to smoking. It remains the number one worst thing you can do to your health. It remains the leading preventable cause of death, disease, and disability.

Many years ago a well intended American Cancer Society came up with the idea of the Great American Smokeout. They designated one day a year that encouraged smokers to get through just that one day without a cigarette. The theory was if you could make it through one day, you could possibly be on the path to quitting for good. It was noble. But it was misguided.

Whether it is alcohol or heroin or anything else, people are best quitting when they are ready to quit. It is the same with cigarettes. It takes such a strong resolve, such a determined plan of action, that it is an extremely personal endeavor. For a group that indeed has your better interest at heart to be the one to tell you when to try has always been rather silly. No one has reached their epiphany, their moment, what some might call their rock bottom and others might call their inspiration point, just because the American Cancer Society says so.

To anyone trying either on November 16th or on ANY day of ANY year, I wish you luck. You'll be so much better off for it. It will improve your health at any age. As far as how to do it, I'm curious what our listeners who are former smokers would say worked for them. Take our poll below and if you don't see your method among the choices feel free to add it in the comment section.

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