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27th annual Great American Smokeout
11/20/2003 9:09 AM
By: News 10 Now Staff
Today marks the 27th annual Great American Smokeout. The American Cancer Society started the event in 1970 in Massachusetts. The Smokeout is designed to get people to smoke less or even quit.
The American Cancer Society holds the Great American Smokeout each November to help smokers quit.
An estimated 47-million adults smoke in the US. The American Cancer Society says there are about 400 new cases of lung cancer in Onondaga County each year. Of those people infected, half will die. They say this day is not just about getting smokers to quit, it's about education as well.
"The American Cancer Society's efforts are focused on eliminating cancer. Needless deaths happen every year based on tobacco smoke. If we can eliminate half of those deaths or all of those deaths it's more people that will live healthier lives," said Amy Norpell, American Cancer Society.
Upstate residents can get some help if they want to quit smoking. Massena Memorial Hospital's Respiratory Therapy Department is offering free Smokeout kits today to help you do just that.
That's what today is...............