Great American Smokeout set for Nov. 21 Published Nov. 18, 2013 By Master Sgt. David Tolson Health and Wellness Center KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Every year, on the third Thursday of November, smokers across the nation take part in the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout. The event challenges people to stop using tobacco and helps people know about the many tools they can use to quit and stay quit. The Great American Smokeout is an annual event that encourages smokers to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking on that day in an effort to stop permanently. The 38th annual Great American Smokeout will be Nov. 21. In 2010, nearly two out of three adult smokers wanted to quit smoking, and approximately half had made a quit attempt for less than one day in the preceding year. However, in 2011, an estimated 19 percent (43.8 million) of U.S. adults still smoke. Quitting smoking has immediate benefits to health at any age, including reduced risk for heart disease and certain cancers. Getting help through counseling or medications can double or triple the chances for quitting. The 377th Medical Group will be hosting a Tobacco Cessation Class Dec. 12. You can sign up for the class by contacting the Health and Wellness Center at 846-1186. Additional information and support for quitting is available online (http://www.smokefree.gov) or by telephone (800-QUIT-NOW [800-784-8669]). In addition, real stories of persons who have quit successfully can be found on CDC's Tips from Former Smokers website at http://www.cdc.gov/tips.