Annual event reminds smokers to give up dangerous habit

About 25 percent of adults and 20 percent of teens are addicted to tobacco.
CANFIELD -- On Thursday, millions of tobacco users will take part in the American Cancer Society's 29th annual Great American Smokeout.
For nearly three decades, the society has designated the third Thursday of each November as a day for those who smoke or use tobacco to unite and kick the deadly habit, said Al Stabilito, ACS's Eastern Ohio public relations director.
Some 45.4 million Americans are addicted to tobacco; roughly one in four adults and one in five teenagers in the nation are smokers.
Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Smoking will cause about 30 percent of the estimated 570,280 cancer deaths in 2005, Stabilito said.
Besides lung cancer, smoking causes other kinds of cancer including cancers of the mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, kidney, bladder, pancreas and cervix. It has more recently been associated with acute leukemia and cancers of the stomach and nasal sinuses.
"We realize that smoking and tobacco are addictive and it's very difficult to quit," said Dr. Lawrence Schmetterer, a member of the Mahoning County American Cancer Society board.
"Only about 5 percent of everyday smokers are able to quit and stay quit for three to 12 months, pointing to the importance of repeated attempts, multiple approaches and ongoing support," Dr. Schmetterer said.
Help for smokers
Those who are serious about trying to quit may take advantage of the Ohio Tobacco Quit Line. This is a free program supported by the American Cancer Society with the sole purpose to help smokers quit for good. It offers support and advice from an experienced quit specialist, Stabilito said.
"Quit Line callers are five times more likely to succeed with this program than those who try to quit on their own," said Paul Tomalka of Boardman, a former smoker. "A personalized quit plan and self-help materials are provided," she said.
The Ohio Tobacco Quit Line toll-free number is (800) 784-8669.
Even those who don't smoke are at risk of dying from tobacco-related illnesses if they breathe the air from a smoker. Secondhand smoke is a known cause of heart disease, stroke and cancer. It kills 53,000 nonsmokers each year, including 3,000 who die from lung cancer, Stabilito said.
On Thursday, volunteers and anti-smoking advocates across Ohio will turn in more than 100,000 signatures from registered voters in Ohio to the secretary of state in an attempt to pass a statewide clean indoor air law.
After the signatures are verified, the Ohio legislature would have four months to pass legislation regarding the clean indoor air law.
If lawmakers do not act, Smoke Free Ohio would be required to collect another 100,000 signatures if it wants the issue placed on the November 2006 ballot to allow voters to decide whether they want all public places in Ohio to be smoke free, Stabilito said.
"A strong smoke-free law creates a fair standard for all businesses in Ohio, including bars and restaurants," said Ed Brannan of Austintown, chairman of Mahoning County Smoke Free Ohio.
As of Aug. 1, 12 states had implemented statewide smoking bans that prohibit smoking in workplaces and/or restaurants and/or bars.
For more information about the Great American Smokeout, the Ohio Tobacco Quit Line or Smoke Free Ohio, call the American Cancer Society toll free at (888) 227-6446.