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Anti-smoking groups: Thursday's the day to quit

The Daily Star - 11/14/2018

Nov. 14--Thursday is an annual day of intervention for smokers from the American Cancer Society.

The Great American Smokeout asks that tobacco users make it "day one" of quitting for good, or use the day to make a plan to quit.

An estimated 38 million American adults smoke cigarettes, and tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the country. Smoking has declined from 20.9 percent in 2005 to 15.5 percent in 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Representatives from Advancing Tobacco Free Communities of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie Counties said they have been busy spreading the word of the "smokeout" in those communities. In Delaware County, the health and Social Services offices will participate by offering education and quitting help. SUNY Cobleskill will have a table outside the dining hall with a bin where smokers and e-cigarette users can drop off those products to be entered to win a raffle, and the menu will have a smoky theme.

"There's a significant difference even after a few hours of not smoking cigarettes," said Deyanira Cisneros, who runs community engagement.

The group, which is funded by the New York State Department of Health, provides signage to businesses and building owners going tobacco-free, and also educates youth through its Reality Check program. Youth Engagement coordinator Bonnie Peck has had students record tobacco advertisements geared toward youth and helped them pen letters requesting that smoking be limited or given an "R" rating in media.

"I try to recruit youth to fight the battles and talk to their own legislators," she said.

Erin Jerome, staff writer, may be reached at (607) 441-7221, or at ejerome@thedailystar.com. Follow her on Twitter at @DS_ErinJ .

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