Should We Continue To Have Campaigns Like The Great American Smokeout?
By DB
@dgobucks226 (34405)
November 16, 2017 6:46pm CST
Today November 16th is the official day of the Great American Smokout, which is celebrated this time each year.
Many years ago a well intended American Cancer Society came up with the idea of the Great American Smokeout. They designated one day a year that encouraged smokers to get through just that one day without a cigarette. The theory was if you could make it through one day, you could possibly be on the path to quitting for good.
Here are a few events which led up to this National Smokeout Day:
-1974 – Monticello, Minnesota – Lynn R. Smith of the Monticello Times promoted a “Don’t Smoke Day”.
-1976 – November 18, The California Division of the American Cancer Society successfully prompted nearly one million smokers to quit for the day.
These smaller events eventually led to The Great American Smokeout being held on November 16, 1977, in San Francisco’s Union Square.
Do you think these special national days have any effect on getting people to quit smoking? Why or Why not?
P.S. If you like the X-Files you might recognize the "smoking man" in the photo.
Sources: NJ 101.5 & National Day Calendar
Photo- xfiles.wikia.com
11 people like this
11 responses
@marguicha (215792)
• Chile
17 Nov 17
I don´t think that it will make anyone quit smoking. But they might succeed in making people think that quitting could be a good idea.
4 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34405)
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18 Nov 17
I agree with that statement. At least it will put a thought in their head and maybe they will eventually decide it is something they must quit. One National day alone will not succeed.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215792)
• Chile
18 Nov 17
@dgobucks226 To quit smoking is not easy. I´m sure that smoking is as bad (or good) as marihuana. I don´t know why one is legal and the other one isn´t.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53944)
• Los Angeles, California
17 Nov 17
I hadn't even realized or remembered this day . . . perhaps they need to reinvent this "celebration" to get the message out? Even in this day and age with what we know about smoking, people are still smoking . . . I just don't understand why they even start such a habit to begin with!
2 people like this
@much2say (53944)
• Los Angeles, California
19 Nov 17
@dgobucks226 I had a conversation about this with a friend. She took notice that hardly anyone in our generation smokes now. Why? Maybe because back then when we were kids they did have those hardcore campaigns with diagrams of blackened lungs and such - really affected us. But in the past couple decades, I haven't seen much of that . . . there are other "issues" in this world added to it that they place more importance on . . . and we see the younger generation who have taken up smoking in the meantime.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34405)
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18 Nov 17
I couldn't agree more! It serves no useful purpose other than to do something with their hands and look cool. Of yes, and become addicted to the nicotine in the process if that is considered useful?
The National day is well intentioned just like the TV commercials, but it really is up to the person to want to quit.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34405)
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19 Nov 17
@much2say That is very true. They still show the horrible commercials of people who have been disfigured, but the teens are so preoccupied with the internet and I Phones they probably never view it.
1 person likes this
@shivamani10 (11038)
• Hyderabad, India
17 Nov 17
Oh..this is really a good convention to avoid smoking just for a day thought the world. It adds up a lot. Sometimes, it may be unexpected results also.
2 people like this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
17 Nov 17
No its a waste of money. They should use that money for research for the cure to lung cancer, its our donations being wasted. People stop smoking when they get ready to do so.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34405)
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18 Nov 17
Yes, people must want to quit. Someone telling them to will not be effective. Even if it is for there own good! I agree about research, but are you going to continue to jeopardize your health while waiting for research to find a cure? At least by quitting a smoker can reduce a risk factor for contacting cancer. But in the end it is up to the person as you say. Just a shame to play Russian Roulette with a useless habit.
@kobesbuddy (74745)
• East Tawas, Michigan
17 Nov 17
They try to make things work, for everybody. They need to realize, this will never happen! Quit smoking? Nobody will quit because of this, even though they realize it would benefit their health.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (74745)
• East Tawas, Michigan
18 Nov 17
@dgobucks226 Overcoming a bad habit, takes self-denial, self-drive, self-motivation.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34405)
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18 Nov 17
@kobesbuddy Yes, only they have the will to help themselves.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34405)
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18 Nov 17
Ignorance is bliss so they say. I do agree a person has to want to quit and have self-motivation to do it.
It is not an easy thing to do, but taking a chance on the alternative is much worse 
1 person likes this
@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
22 Nov 17
@dgobucks226 that would be worth a try. And as they say, prevention is better than cure.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34405)
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18 Nov 17
Well said and very true. It comes down to the person's will to quit. Maybe they should shift there promotion to a never start smoking day?
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34405)
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20 Nov 17
@JudyEv I know. We have commercials showing that in the U.S. I always have to turn away from the screen. Just terrible how addictive smoking can be.
@teamfreak16 (43420)
• Denver, Colorado
17 Nov 17
One day isn't enough time to actually quit. I personally don't think it would work.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43420)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Nov 17
@dgobucks226 - Then again, maybe it's not a bad way to start quitting.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34405)
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18 Nov 17
@teamfreak16 If it creates awareness or some kind of social bonding perhaps.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40246)
• United States
17 Nov 17
Excellent choice of photo for this. Always did love SMoking man. I agree, it's a great idea
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40246)
• United States
19 Nov 17
@dgobucks226 Oh , within the show you mean? Yeah, no kidding, right? - Effective? Good question, but I think it is inspirational with those who smoke
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34405)
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19 Nov 17
@FayeHazel Yes, I see your point. By quitting for a day it can provide inspiration and hope to try to stop forever.
@dgobucks226 (34405)
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18 Nov 17
Yes, and look what happened to him. It is good to promote awareness I agree. Whether it is very effective that is something I wonder about?
It is good to promote awareness I agree. Whether it is very effective that is something I wonder about?1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34405)
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18 Nov 17
Probably will not, they need to rethink this day.
1 person likes this
