Today Is the Great American Smokeout

It wasn’t too long ago that working environments, airplanes, restaurants, bars, etc were openly tolerant of smokers, making it a bit of an inconsiderate environment for non-smokers who were left with no choice but to take in the clouds of smoke. But as we have evolved as a society, laws and regulations have been enacted in order to accommodate smokers and non-smokers alike.

As our society becomes smarter thanks in large part to technical advances and more accurate studies, we become even more aware of associations between habits such as smoking and the negative health associations and comorbidities that go along with them. Perhaps the most recent examples to educate the public about the dangers associated with smoking are the bold new cigarette warnings that the FDA is proposing for 2011.

Along the same lines, the America Cancer Society has dubbed November 18^th each year as the “Great American Smokeout,” and on this day they try to bring as much awareness as possible to smokers in the hopes that they will reconsider their unhealthy habit and perhaps take the proper steps to improve their health by quitting.

So, if you are a smoker, perhaps it’s time to confront the evidence that you’ve probably gone out of your way to avoid in the “ignorance is bliss” mindset. Or, if you are a loved one who has given up on a friend or family member because of the awkward tension that arises when you try and help them, today is a reminder not to give up on those you love.

Around the Web:

Health Buzz: Smokers Challenged With Great American Smokeout [U.S.News & World Report]

More people are heeding the message of the Great American Smokeout [LA Times]

History of the Great American Smokeout [American Cancer Society]