The American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout Nov. 18

WILTON — In 1977, when the American Cancer Society launched its first Great American Smokeout, no one could have guessed it would help spark a movement that would lead to smoke-free laws from California to New York City. Now for the 2004 Smokeout, the society is calling on the more than 500,000 estimated smokers in Connecticut to go smoke-free for the day, and to consider giving up for good.

To protect the public from the health risks resulting from the exposure to secondhand smoke, Connecticut’s smoke-free workplace law, including restaurants, went into effect on October 1, 2003, and expanded to include bars on April 1, 2004. Connecticut was the fourth state to pass a comprehensive, statewide smoke-free workplace law that covers restaurants and bars. The total to date is seven, including California, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island. Following the one-year anniversary of this law, a new poll shows that 85 percent of Connecticut residents support the law that prohibits smoking inside all Connecticut workplaces.

“The Great American Smokeout is the time to make the bold move of improving your health through quitting smoking. It is the time to tell your friends and family that you’re going to quit for the day and hopefully quit for life, and you need their support,” said Michelle Wolf, American Cancer Society area director for cancer control.

Even though smoking rates have dropped dramatically in the 28 years since the first Great American Smokeout, tobacco continues to be a major cancer killer.

Smoking will cause about 30 percent of 2004’s estimated 563,700 cancer deaths. Smoking causes many cancers besides lung cancer. It is a major cause of cancers of the mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, kidney, bladder, pancreas, and cervix and has more recently been associated with colorectal cancer, myeloid leukemia, as well as cancers of the liver, stomach, and nasal sinuses.

Tobacco is as addicting as opiates, amphetamines, and cocaine.

Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 substances, more than 40 of which are known or suspected to cause cancer in humans and animals.

Nearly 75,000 Connecticut middle and high school students use some form of tobacco and more than 58,000 smoke cigarettes.

The economic cost of smoking is about $3,391 per smoker per year. In Connecticut alone, this equals more than $1.7 billion annually.

The American Cancer Society offers support and information for smokers who want to quit during Smokeout and every other day, 24 hours a day, by calling 800-ACS-2345 or logging on to www.cancer.org. In addition, eight states now use the society’s Quitline, which is expected to field 30,000 calls in 2004. The number to call in Connecticut is 866-END-HABIT (866-363-4224).

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering, and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 14 regional divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call toll free 800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.