Today is the Great American Smokeout 2009, the American Cancer Society’s annual effort to get smokers to quit for a day in the hopes that it will convince and enable them to quit permanently.
Hoosiers need this program more than most. Per capita, Indiana has the second greatest number of smokers, behind only West Virginia. It’s bad for you. Really bad for you. Everybody knows that now despite years of obstruction by the tobacco industry and claims that the science is inconclusive. It’s also addictive. That’s a rough combination.
So, congratulations to all those who have kicked the habit. I have a number of friends and family members who fit into this category, and I couldn’t be happier for them. Congratulations to all those who never started. You chose . . . wisely. And, to those who still smoke but want to stop, good luck. Maybe today is the day you stop.
One year, three months and four days without a cigarette. I smoked Marlboros for 16 years prior to that. Today would be a great day to quit. Every day is a great day to quit.
It’s been more than 4 years since I went cold turkey – just set a date and stick to it. Remember: “If I can change, you can change, everybody can change!”