Breathe easy and stomp out smoking during national event

If you’re a smoker, the statistics are scary.

Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in both men and women, and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) says tobacco smoking is the leading cause of it. NCI research shows smoking is responsible for about nine out of ten cases of lung cancer in men and about eight out of ten cases in women.

Statistics from the American Cancer Society and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show more than 480,000 Americans die each year from using tobacco products. Smoking accounts for nearly 90 percent of all lung cancer deaths and claim the lives of more Americans than alcohol, car accidents, HIV, guns and illegal drugs combined.

In addition, secondhand smoke exposure accounts for 41,000 deaths among adults in the U.S. each year, including more than 7,300 lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers. Two out of five children, ages 3 years to 11 years, regularly breathe secondhand smoke in our country, leading to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, lung problems, asthma and ear infections, according to the CDC.

Smokers don’t have to settle for those statistics, however. If you need a helping hand to stop smoking, we are ready to assist you. Staff, clinicians and students at Augusta University, AU Health, The Dental College of Georgia, the Georgia Cancer Center and the Georgia Prevention Institute are hosting the Great American Smokeout to help you overcome nicotine addiction or to assist you in helping a friend or family member quit using tobacco.

On Nov. 16, Augusta University and AU Health will have seven “Commit to Quit” stations across campus where you can make the pledge to put down that cigarette, cigar or e-cigarette and become a nonsmoker or pledge to help someone you care about to quit tobacco. You’ll find these “Commit To Quit” stations at the following locations on the Health Sciences and Summerville campuses:

• Children’s Hospital of Georgia lobby
• Medical Office Building lobby
• The Dental College of Georgia lobby
• Georgia Cancer Center Outpatient Services clinic
• AU Health Cardiovascular Center – two locations (15^th Street and Chafee Ave)
• Jaguar Student Activities Center

Get information on strategies proven to help people quit, along with tips you can share with family and friends about electronic-cigarettes and the use of other tobacco products. In addition, information about the Georgia Cancer Center’s free lung screening for long-term smokers will be available.

The Great American Smokeout runs from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Learn more about the Great American Smokeout..