The Great American Smokeout

The Great American Smokeout

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November 20, 2014

The Great American Smokeout is an opportunity for smokers to ban together and quit smoking for 24 hours. This year on Thursday, November 20, military service members who smoke are asked to quit smoking and protect family, friends, children and pets from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke – commit to quit and give them a chance.

Most service members know the health risks of smoking, but smoking not only affects the smoker’s health, it also poses significant risks to others. Secondhand smoke contains over 250 chemicals that are harmful to anyone exposed, leading to serious health risks.

Secondhand smoke is especially harmful to young children, who are still developing, growing and learning. Each year, secondhand smoke is responsible for between 150,000 and 300,000 lower respiratory infections in infants and children under 18 months of age. Pregnant women, who are exposed to secondhand smoke, are more likely to have low-birth weight babies and children are at increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

“You may be thinking to yourself, but what if I don’t smoke in my house, are my children still at risk?” said Paul Fitzpatrick, program director for Quit Tobacco – UCanQuit2.org. “The answer is yes. Even brief contact with secondhand smoke is hazardous and can even be passed from toxins on clothing. There is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.”

It’s not just the humans in a household that are affected by secondhand smoke, pets have an increased risk of developing lung and nasal cancer. Both cats and dogs are more susceptible to allergy and respiratory problems in smoking households.

The easiest way to reduce the harm of secondhand smoke to loved ones is to quit tobacco. Commit to quit and give them a chance - join the movement this Great American Smokeout on Thursday, November 20 and quit smoking for 24 hours. In preparation to go smoke-free, visit www.UCanQuit2.org for quit resources, tobacco cessation information and live support.