The Smokeout is held nationwide on the third Thursday of November each year to encourage smokers to quit for at least one day, in the hopes that they will be inspired to quit forever.

“In North Dakota, more than 52 percent of adult smokers have tried to quit within the past year,” said Susan Kahler, Community Outreach Coordinator for Tobacco Prevention Department of Bismarck Burleigh Public Health. “Most people try to quit several times before they’re successful. Getting help with your quit attempt definitely increases the chance of success. People who want to quit can get help by calling the North Dakota Tobacco Quitline at 1.800.QUIT.NOW (1.800.784.8669).”

The Quitline offers:
• Free, individualized telephone counseling with a trained counselor. (Calls are conducted at
times convenient for the Quitline customer.)
• Help with establishing a quit plan and encouragement through follow-up phone calls.
• Advice about how to deal with withdrawal symptoms.
• Free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges for qualified enrollees.

“The Smokeout is the perfect time to make a plan for quitting,” said Susan Kahler. “And the North Dakota Tobacco Quitline is the perfect tool to help you get organized. The Quitline will help you establish your plan, overcome the obstacles along the way and guide you on the journey to a healthier future.”

Bismarck area school students will be having Great American Smoke Out activities: Century High School, St. Mary’s High School, South Central High School, Simle Middle School, and Wachter Middle School. Activities will be focused on promoting the ND Quitline, ND Quitnet and educating their peers about how many people die each year in North Dakota from tobacco-related illness.

For more information call BBPH Tobacco Prevention and Control at Tobacco Prevention & Control at (701) 355-1594 or North Dakota Tobacco Quitline at 1.800.QUIT.NOW (1.800.784.8669).