Great American Smokeout encourages smokers to drop the habit | News

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS)- The American Cancer Society marks the 37th annual Great American Smokeout Thursday.

It's a day set aside to help smokers kick the habit.

Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S., yet about 43.8 million Americans still smoke cigarettes.  That's nearly 1 in every 5 adults.

And that doesn't include another 15.4 million who smoke cigars or pipes.

"It's hard to quit, but most smokers want to quit," says Julie Aycock with the American Cancer Society.  "Making the decision to quit is the first step."

The American Cancer Society says quitting is hard, but does have some tips.

You can find them here.

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