Start with Day One

You don’t have to quit smoking in a single day—just start with day one. The Great American Smokeout, held on the third Thursday of November, is the perfect opportunity to begin your journey toward a smoke-free life. When you take that first step, you’ll be joining thousands of people across the country who are choosing better health and a lower risk of cancer.

Every year, smoking causes about 480,000 deaths in the U.S.—roughly 1 in 5 deaths. Although cigarette smoking rates have dropped from 42% in 1965 to 14% in 2019, about 34 million adults still smoke. The progress hasn’t been equal for everyone. Some groups—such as people with lower incomes or education levels, American Indian/Alaska Native and Black communities, military members, and those living with behavioral health conditions—continue to experience higher smoking rates and greater tobacco-related health impacts.

It’s never too late to quit.

No matter your age or how long you’ve smoked, quitting brings immediate and long-term health benefits. It’s a process, and while it can be challenging, support makes a big difference. Combining counseling with medication can double or even triple your chances of success.

Take the first step this November. Make the Great American Smokeout your Day One toward a healthier, smoke-free future.