McHenry County joins in Great American Smokeout Nov. 20

McHenry County Department of Health joins the American Cancer Society in recognizing the third Thursday in November, Nov. 20, as the Great American Smokeout, encouraging smokers to make a plan to quit smoking even for one day.

This would be an important first step toward leading a healthier life and reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer. While cigarettes are the Great American Smokeout's major concern, with 42 million American adults smoking cigarettes, national data reports 13.2 million people smoke cigars, 2.2 million are pipe smokers, and 7.8 million Americans are addicted to smokeless (chewing) tobacco.

The cancer society states tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S., yet nearly one in five adults continue to smoke, causing 480,000 early deaths each year.

For every person who dies from smoking-related disease, 20 more suffer from smoking-related illness. Children exposed to secondhand smoke also suffer and are more likely to have middle-ear disease and reduced lung function.

An additional cost will now include a penalty in insurance rates for smokers, which can reach thousands of dollars per year, over and above the cost of insurance, under the Affordable Care Act.

The Great American Smokeout, which began in the late 1970s, has helped fuel new laws and save countless lives.

To get help kicking the tobacco habit, call MCDH at (815) 334-4510 or the Illinois Tobacco Quit Line at (866) Quit-YES.