American Cancer Society marks 34th Great American Smokeout

Smokers encouraged to quit to create a world with less cancer, more birthdays

[November 13, 2009]  SPRINGFIELD -- The American Cancer Society marks the 34th Great American Smokeout on Nov. 19 by encouraging smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By doing so, smokers will be taking an important step toward a healthier life -- one that can lead to reducing cancer risk and creating more birthdays.

Researchers say that quitting smoking can increase life expectancy. Smokers who quit at age 35 gain an average of eight years of life expectancy; those who quit at age 55 gain about five years; and even long-term smokers who quit at 65 gain three years. (Source: Taylor, D.H., et al., "Benefits of smoking cessation for longevity," American Journal of Public Health 92:990-996, 2002)

Research shows that people who stop smoking before age 50 can cut their risk of dying in the next 15 years in half compared with those who continue to smoke. Smokers who quit also reduce their risk of lung cancer -- 10 years after quitting, the lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker's. Some of the health effects of quitting are almost instant, too -- heart rate and blood pressure drop 20 minutes after quitting.

The American Cancer Society has resources available to help smokers begin their journey toward quitting and staying well. By calling 800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345), smokers can receive tobacco cessation and coaching services that can help increase their chances of quitting for good.

"We know that quitting smoking is tough and that most smokers have to try several times before quitting for good," said Mary Maryland, Ph.D, R.N., president of the American Cancer Society, Illinois Division. "The American Cancer Society offers a variety of effective resources, ranging from online tips and tools to personalized telephone counseling by trained specialists. Our 'Quitline' has helped over 380,000 smokers with tobacco cessation counseling. We hope that smokers will use the Great American Smokeout to map out a course of action that will help them to quit, and in turn to stay well and celebrate more birthdays."

Smoking is an expensive habit, so quitting is not only good for a person's health, but also for their budget. Smokers nationwide now face an average cost of $4.32 for one pack of cigarettes, not including all taxes. Plus, most smokers can expect higher health and life insurance premiums and paying for increased doctor visits over time.

Smoking also has an economic impact on Illinois. The annual cost of health care related to smoking in Illinois is $4.1 billion, and smoking-caused productivity losses in Illinois are $4.3 billion.

After years of decline, the smoking rate appears to have stalled among adults and high school students in Illinois. In Illinois, approximately 21.3 percent of adults are smokers, slightly higher than the national average.

The Great American Smokeout Web site, www.cancer.org/GreatAmericans, contains user-friendly tips and tools toward a smoke-free life. In addition to tip sheets and calculators, the site also offers downloadable desktop helpers to assist with planning to quit and succeeding in staying tobacco-free. The "Quit Clock" allows users to pick a quit day within 30 days, then counts down to the selected day with tips for each day. The "Craving Stopper" helps smokers beat cravings by offering a fun distraction.

Important facts about tobacco use:

• Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S.

• Cigarette smoking accounts for about 443,000 premature deaths -- including 49,400 in nonsmokers.

• Thirty percent of cancer deaths, including 87 percent of lung cancer deaths, can be attributed to tobacco.

• Smoking also accounts for $193 billion in health care expenditures and productivity losses.

• Great progress is being made in reducing tobacco use in the U.S., with adult smoking rates in 2007 declining among all adults to 19.8 percent.

• In 2008, the Illinois smoking rate for youth was 18.8 percent.

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About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grass-roots force with more than 100,000 volunteers in Illinois and millions elsewhere, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well, by helping people get well, by finding cures and by fighting back. As the nation's largest nongovernmental investor in cancer research, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer, and countless more who have avoided it, will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more or get help, call us anytime at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

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Fact sheets

Great American Smokeout facts

• On Thursday, Nov. 19, the American Cancer Society marks the 34th annual Great American Smokeout, nationally recognized as a platform to educate the public on dangers associated with tobacco use and to encourage smokers to quit for a lifetime by starting with just one day.

• This year, more than 11 million smokers are estimated to participate in the Great American Smokeout nationally.

• National smoking rates have dropped up to 50 percent in the 33 years since the first Great American Smokeout (Source: National Interview Survey, 1965-2006).

• In Illinois, dozens of community and corporate activities and events are planned in the American Cancer Society's 15 regional offices.

Tobacco dangers

• Lung cancer remains the No. 1 cancer killer among men and women.

• Smoking accounts for at least 30 percent of all cancer deaths and 87 percent of lung cancer deaths.

• In 2009, approximately 9,120 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in Illinois, and an estimated 6,940 people in Illinois will die from the disease.

• Smoking is also associated with increased risk for cancers of the mouth, nasal cavities, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, cervix, kidney, bladder and myeloid leukemia.

Support

• In Illinois, 20.5 percent of adults are smokers and nearly 17,000 adults die each year in Illinois as a result of their own smoking habits, while 2,090 adult nonsmokers die as a result of secondhand smoke.

• According to the National Interview Survey, 51 percent of smokers have attempted to quit smoking, but only 5-10 percent are successful on any given attempt. The following are some methods to quit for good:

  • Medication -- Research has shown that using a quitting-smoking medication, such as bupropion (Zyban) or the nicotine patch, gum, nasal spray, inhaler or lozenge, can double chances of successfully quitting.

  • Self-help materials -- Resources are available to help those quitting learn how to prepare, develop strategies to help with cravings and prevent relapses.

  • Support programs -- The American Cancer Society has a list of community smoking cessation resources, including classes, support groups, Internet resources or medication assistance referrals.

  • "Quitlines" -- Telephone counseling programs provide quitting strategies and support over the phone, at convenient times.

The American Cancer Society offers free resources and support that can increase a smoker's chances of quitting successfully, including tips and tools for friends and family. For free information and support by cancer information specialists, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, call 800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345), or visit www.cancer.org.

Teens and smoking

• Every day, about 4,000 children under 18 try their first cigarette and another 1,500 become regular smokers. That's 545,000 new underage daily smokers each year. (Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, HHS, results from 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health)

• In 2008, tobacco product use among high school students in Illinois was 27.5 percent, and 18.8 percent of high school students smoke cigarettes. However, smoking among Illinois high school students has declined by 47 percent from 2002-2008.

• In Illinois, 39 percent of high school students live with someone who currently smokes, and nearly 60 percent of high school students who smoke live with a cigarette smoker.

• Approximately 26 percent of whites, 22 percent of Hispanics and 13 percent of African-Americans in high school are current cigarette smokers. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

• Nearly 24.7 percent of middle school students and 14.9 percent of high school students indicated they had smoked their first full cigarette by the age of 11. So if adolescents don't start smoking by age 18, odds are they never will.

• Immediate harm to children from smoking includes irritated eyes and throat, increased heartbeat and blood pressure, respiratory problems, reduced immune function, increased illness, tooth decay, gum disease, and pre-cancerous gene mutations. (Source: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids)

• Roughly one-third of all youth smokers will eventually die prematurely from smoking-caused disease. (Source: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids)

Tips for helping others kick the habit

• Do make sure comments about quitting are encouraging instead of confrontational and demanding.

• Do respect that the quitter is in charge of quitting. This is the smoker's lifestyle change and challenge, not yours.

• Do ask the person whether he or she wants you to call or visit regularly to see how he or she is doing. Let the person know that it's OK to call you whenever he or she needs to hear encouraging words.

• Do help the quitter get what he or she needs, such as hard candy to suck on, straws to chew on, fresh veggies cut up and kept cold in the refrigerator, etc.

• Do spend time doing things with the quitter to keep his or her mind off smoking -- go to the movies or take a walk to get past a craving (what many call a "nicotine fit").

• Do help the quitter with a few chores, some child care, cooking -- whatever will help lighten the stress of quitting.

• Do celebrate along the way. Reward them with a free lunch or join them on a long walk. Quitting smoking is a big deal.

• Don't take the quitter's grumpiness personally during a nicotine withdrawal. The symptoms will pass in about two weeks.

• Don't offer advice. Just ask how you can help.

For free information and support by cancer information specialists, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, call 800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345) or visit www.cancer.org.

[Text from files received from the American Cancer Society, Springfield office]