ACS challenges smokers to kick their habit

By Cameron Harp

For the Daily Titan

In an effort to prevent tobacco-related deaths, the American Cancer Society is holding its 34th annual Great American Smokeout challenge Thursday. Tobacco is the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States, the ACS says.

The Great American Smokeout was an idea launched by the ACS in order to encourage smokers to make a plan to quit smoking that day. This year, the organization is promoting the idea that quitting smoking will contribute to better health and reduce the risk of cancer.

Dr. Alan G. Thorson, a member of the Fellowship of the American College of Surgeons and national volunteer president for the ACS, said in a statement for the Great American Smokeout that he realizes that quitting smoking is tough, but the organization can help.

“The American Cancer Society offers a variety of effective resources ranging from online tips and tools to personalized telephone coaching by trained specialists,” he said in the ACS’s press release. “We hope that smokers will use the Great American Smokeout to map out a course of action that will help them to quit, and in turn to stay well and celebrate more birthdays.”

Some students often use nicotine to get their mind off things, especially when studying. Samantha Crane, a math and statistics major, said that she may quit for the day on Thursday, but she will most likely quit for good in December following finals.

“I want to quit after school is done. I have like five classes,” Crane said. “(Smoking) gets my mind off things, if I am studying.”

Some students find their craving for cigarettes so addictive that they don’t think the Smoke-out will help. Kelly Egan, a junior theater major, said she had heard of the Great American Smokeout, but did not think the event would help her quit smoking.

“It won’t work. I have been a smoker for almost 16 years,” Egan said. “I have days … where I don’t smoke in the week if I want to. I might not have one on campus that day, but I am sure I will have one on the way to campus and one on the way home.”

According to Cancer.org, the ACS’s Web site, the benefits of quitting smoking emerge within 20 minutes. A smoker’s heart rate and blood pressure drop soon after quitting. Within 12 hours of quitting, the carbon monoxide level in their blood drops to normal.

Health Educator Jackie R. Blyleven of the Cal State Fullerton Student Health and Counseling Center said that every cigarette a student gives up returns 11 minutes to their lifespan.

Blyleven also mentioned that the Student Health and Counseling Center is offering help to students who want to quit smoking.

The Health Center on campus offers a free Smoking Cessation program for students that provide five sessions of individual counseling. The 45-minute one-on-one sessions allow smokers to talk about their reasons for smoking as well as provide a means to combat the smoking habits of the individual.

“I am hoping that students see our efforts of encouragement to quit smoking or to pick a quit date,” Blyleven said. “The Great American Smokeout is a great event and I’m hopeful for a huge success.”