Lighting the Way to a Smoke-Free Future: Reflections on the Great American Smokeout
Every year on the third Thursday of November, the American Cancer Society (ACS) leads a powerful, symbolic event called the Great American Smokeout. It is a day dedicated to encouraging people who smoke to make a plan to quit. What started decades ago as a one-day quit attempt has grown into a nationwide call to action to acknowledge smoking’s serious risks, especially its strong link to lung cancer.
Why It Matters: Smoking, Lung Cancer, and Lives at Stake
Smoking remains the single largest preventable cause of cancer in the United States. According to ACS data, more than 80% of lung cancer deaths are attributed to tobacco use.
Though smoking rates have declined dramatically over the decades, it’s still a major public health issue. In 2023, just 11% of U.S. adults reported current cigarette use, a dramatic drop from around 42% in the mid-1960s.
Yet, the toll remains heavy. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2023, there were about 238,300 new lung cancer cases in the U.S., and roughly 127,000 deaths from lung cancer. Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer death in the country, accounting for about one in five cancer-related deaths.
Progress Saves Lives — But More Work Is Needed
Thanks to decades of tobacco control efforts, the impact has been tremendous. A recent ACS-led study estimated that between 1970 and 2022, nearly 3.9 million premature lung cancer deaths were averted, and about 76 million years of life were gained due to reductions in smoking.
But the fight is far from over. The same ACS Tobacco Atlas reports that while the quit ratio (the share of people who’ve ever smoked but quit) hit a record 62% in 2022, disparities remain. For example, quit attempts and success are lower among older adults, people with lower income, and certain racial or ethnic communities.
Alarmingly, lung cancer screening is also underutilized: data from ACS shows that only 18.1% of eligible adults who currently or formerly smoked were up to date with lung cancer screening in 2022.
The Great American Smokeout: More Than Just a Day
The Smokeout is more than a symbolic gesture, it’s an opportunity:
- For people who smoke, it’s a chance to commit to quitting, or at least to start building a realistic quit plan.
- For friends, families, and communities, it’s a reminder that support matters; people are more likely to succeed in quitting when they have help. ACS offers 24/7 resources via their helpline (1-800-227-2345) and online.
- For policymakers and public health champions, it’s also a moment to push for stronger tobacco control, equitable access to cessation programs, and more widespread lung cancer screening.
To learn more about the history of the Great American Smokeout click here
