Go smoke-free for the Great American Smokeout

November 15 marks the 31st anniversary of the Great American Smokeout. On this day, smokers are urged to stop smoking for 24 hours and make a commitment to a new healthier tobacco-free lifestyle. 

Nonsmokers can help smokers by offering moral support or sharing information on smoking cessation products and techniques. 

Smokers who decide to participate in the Smokeout will see benefits in the first few hours.

According to the American Cancer Society, blood pressure, pulse rate and oxygen levels in the blood return to normal levels within eight hours of your last cigarette.

Those who remain tobacco-free can expect their risk of heart disease, lung cancer and stroke to continue to decrease for the next several years.

Even with all the benefits of quitting smoking, it is hard for smokers to remain smoke-free.

However, there is help for those individuals who want to participate in the Great American Smokeout and quit smoking for good.  Smokers can call the Alabama Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-Quit-Now for free counseling and a free personalized quit plan. Callers who are medically eligible can receive a free four-week supply of the nicotine replacement patch to help them in their quit attempt.

Many smokers have been able to quit with the support of the Quitline's services and counselors. Counselors assist callers with motivation, personal quit plans, weight gain and dealing with stress. Participants can call the Quitline for help dealing with cravings and social situations that may trigger tobacco use. Many smokers will require more than one attempt to quit tobacco completely. However, with the help of friends, family and 1-800-Quit-Now, you can remain smoke-free and improve your health.