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Each year on the third Thursday in November, the American Cancer Society sponsors the Great American Smokeout.
This is an annual social engineering event to encourage Americans to stop tobacco smoking. The Great American Smokeout challenges smokers to quit cigarettes for 24 hours with the hopes that this decision will continue forever.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Join millions of other smokers and do not smoke for the day. Use #GreatAmericanSmokeout to post on social media.
HISTORY
Evolving from a series of small-scale initiatives, the first Great American Smokeout was held on November 16, 1977, in San Francisco’s Union Square.
- 1970 – Randolph, Massachusetts – Arthur P. Mullaney suggested people give up cigarettes for a day donating the money to a local high school.
- 1974 – Monticello, Minnesota – Lynn R. Smith of the Monticello Times promoted a “Don’t Smoke Day”.
- 1976 – November 18, The California Division of the American Cancer Society successfully prompted nearly one million smokers to quit for the day.
