The Great American Smokeout is a great opportunity to help kids access the information and materials they may need to kick the tobacco habit.
Today is the Great American Smokeout. Traditionally held on the third Thursday in November, this Day is sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The purpose of the Great American Smokeout is to draw public attention to the dangers of smoking and to encourage current smokers to “quit for a lifetime starting with just one day.” (American Cancer Society, Great American Smokeout, 2007.)
Tragically, many of our young people today are smokers. The reasons are many: peer pressure, tobacco advertising aimed at kids, lack of health education, and the availability of tobacco products, to name just a few. The fact that it is technically illegal for kids to smoke may make it difficult for kids who want to quit to access the resources they might need to do so.
The link to The American Cancer Society above is a good place to start. The site contains information on quitting resources (for both cigarettes as well as smokeless tobacco), as well as prevention ideas for kids of all ages. There are even downloadable items such as stickers, pledge certificates, brochures, and educational materials suitable for use in schools or other programs.
Please also check out past articles on this topic, including Tobacco Advertising and Teens, New Cigarette Targets Girls, and Teen Tobacco Prevention, for other ideas.
