Great American Smokeout to be Held

Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2007

South Dakotans who are ready to kick the tobacco habit can join millions of others nationwide tomorrow who are pledging to quit during the annual Great American Smokeout. Statistics from the American Cancer Society show an estimated 490 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer in South Dakota this year and that 420 will die. Rapid City physician Dr. Kevin Weiland says tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of death and that help is available for anyone who wants to quit.

Jennifer Stalley with the South Dakota Tobacco Free Kids Network says other tools are also available.

Stalley is hopeful the Great American Smokeout will be a starting point for some people to quit for a day and then for a lifetime. She encourages South Dakota smokers to call the state's free quit line at 1-800-S-D-QUITS. The American Cancer Society, who sponsors the event, expects a third of the nation's 46 million smokers to take the day off from smoking on Thursday.