JOIN THE GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT ON NOVEMBER 18
Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney encourages county residents to join smokers across the nation and participate in the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout by quitting smoking for the day on Thursday, November 18. The event, held nationwide since 1977 on the third Thursday in November, challenges people to stop using tobacco, draws attention to the deaths and chronic diseases caused by smoking and raises awareness of the many effective strategies to quit smoking.
“Going ‘cold turkey’ or stopping smoking entirely on this special day is one of the best things you can do for yourself, family and friends,” said McNerney. “It could be the start of a healthier smoke-free lifestyle as more people quit smoking during the Great American Smokeout than on any other day of the year.”
Research shows that smokers are most successful in kicking the habit when they have some means of support, such as nicotine replacement products, counseling, prescription medicine to lessen cravings, guide books, and the encouragement of friends and family members.
Each year, tobacco use in the U.S. kills more people than suicide, murder, fires, alcohol, AIDS, drugs and accidents, combined. It will claim over 400,000 lives. An estimated 46 million U.S. adults currently smoke and approximately half will die prematurely from smoking.
“Bergen County residents can also take advantage of free cessation programs that can be initiated at home by telephone or computer, stated McNerney. The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services’ Quitline and Quitnet affords individuals who are ready to quit smoking an opportunity to speak with a counselor or log on from their computer to create a personalized cessation plan. Residents can call NJ Quitline at 1-866-NJ-STOPS or log on NJ Quitnet at www.nj.quitnet.com.”
Since smoking is the number one cause of preventable death in our society, McNerney encourages residents to call 201-634-2707 or the Bergen County Unit of the American Cancer Society at 201-343-2222 for more information on The Great American Smokeout and/or quitting smoking.
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