Each year, the third Thursday of November observes the great American Smokeout, sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The society hopes that this will raise the awareness of smokers of the many benefits to be gained by quitting smoking--not just on this one day, but at any time. Did you know--

• Each year, 390,000 American die from the effects of smoking.
• Cigarette smokers have more than twice the risk of heart attack.
• Cigarette smokers have two to four times the chance of cardiac arrest.
• Giving up smoking rapidly reduces the risk of heart disease. After a number of years, the risk of heart disease diminishes to the same level as a person who has never smoked.
• A pregnant woman who smokes increases her baby's chances of infant crib death.

If you smoke, quit. And if you don't smoke, don't start. And remember, avoid long-term exposure to smoke and protect children from it.

Contact the American Cancer Society or the American Lung Association to learn more about the dangers of smoking--and to get some tips on how to quit.

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