Since 1977, the American Cancer Society has sponsored the
Great American Smokeout to foster community-based activities that
encourage cigarette smokers to stop smoking. This year, the Great
American Smokeout will be on Thursday, November 16. The primary
goal of this year's event is to prevent initiation of tobacco use
among adolescents.
From 1965 through 1993, the annual prevalence of cigarette
smoking among adults in the United States declined 40% (1).
However, the prevalence of smoking among adolescents remained
steady since the mid-1980s (2), and the most recent data suggest it
is increasing (3).
Events this year will include a week of classroom activities
intended to raise awareness among teenagers about the social and
physical benefits of never starting to smoke. In addition, American
Cancer Society volunteers will conduct activities for smokers and
their nonsmoking partners at shopping malls, worksites, hospitals,
military installations, and other locations.
Additional information is available from the American Cancer
Society, telephone (800) 227-2345 or (404) 320-3333; and from CDC,
telephone (800) 232-1311 or (770) 488-5705.
Reported by: American Cancer Society, Atlanta. Office on Smoking
and Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion, CDC.
References
CDC. Cigarette smoking among adults -- United States, 1993. MMWR
1994;43:925-9.
Nelson DE, Giovino GA, Shopland DR, et al. Trends in cigarette
smoking among U.S. adolescents, 1974 through 1991. Am J Public
Health 1995;85:35-40.
NCHS. Health, United States, 1994. Hyattsville, Maryland: US
Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service,
CDC, 1995; DHHS publication no. (PHS)95-1232.
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