GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas – If you’re a smoker or tobacco user, setting a date to quit can be an important step in protecting your health and the health of loved ones. The Galveston County Health District (GCHD) encourages tobacco users to take advantage of the Great American Smokeout on November 16 as a starting point to quit the habit.

Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the Great American Smokeout is an annual effort on the third Thursday of November to encourage the 36.5 million adults in the U.S. who smoke cigarettes to quit.

“If you use any form of tobacco, you’ve probably already heard an earful from your family and friends urging you to quit,” said Scott Packard, GCHD  director of communications. “We encourage you to use the support of millions of people during the Great American Smokeout as motivation to finally give up tobacco for good.”

Quitting smoking is an important step toward feeling better and creating a healthier life. A good plan can help smokers get past the symptoms of withdrawal. Take these five steps to improve your success:

1. Set a quit date. Choose the Great American Smokeout or another quit day within the next two weeks.
2. Tell your family and friends about your quit plan. Share your quit date with the important people in your life and ask for support. A daily phone call, e-mail, or text message can help you stay on course and provide moral support.
3. Be prepared for challenges. The urge to smoke is short—usually only three to five minutes, but those moments can feel intense. Even one puff can feed a craving and make it stronger. Before your quit day, write down healthy ways to cope.
   • Drink water.
   • Exercise.
   • Listen to a favorite song or play a game.
   • Call or text a friend.
4. Remove cigarettes and other tobacco from your home, car and workplace. Throw away your cigarettes, matches, lighters and ashtrays. Clean and freshen your car, home and workplace. Old cigarette odors can cause cravings.
5. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about quit options. Nicotine patches, gum or other approved quit medication can help with cravings.

“We all know about the terrible health effects of tobacco use,” Packard continued. “The great American Smokeout can be your first step in committing to living longer for your family.”

For more information about the effects of tobacco use and tips to quit, visit www.gchd.org/quitsmoking.