The returns aren’t in from this year’s Great American Smokeout, but past years indicate the annual anti-smoking campaign is getting its message across. In 1999, 10 million smokers nationwide participated in the Smokeout, and 11 percent of them were smoking
The returns aren’t in from this year’s Great American Smokeout, but past years
indicate the annual anti-smoking campaign is getting its message across.
In
1999, 10 million smokers nationwide participated in the Smokeout, and 11
percent of them were smoking less five days later. That’s according to American
Cancer Society, which is keeping its fingers crossed that last week’s event on
Kaua’i and elsewhere will have the same or better results.
Smoking is a
personal choice. From the standpoint of health, however, there is no question
that not using tobacco is the decision everyone should make. That’s why the
efforts of high school students and organizations such as Kaua’i Tobacco-Free
Community Coalition are not in vain. As long as the public – and impressionable
children, in particular – is offered information that can lead to a healthier
and longer life, backers of the Smokeout and other anti-smoking efforts can
rest assured that they are rendering a valuable public service.
