American Cancer Society marks 35th Great American Smokeout 11/16/2010 - JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The American Cancer Society marks the 35th Great American Smokeout Nov. 18 by encouraging smokers to either quit smoking or make a plan to quit. According to an American Cancer Society report, smokers who quit, regardless of age, tend to live longer than people who continue to smoke. Smokers who quit also reduce their risk of lung cancer, research shows. Ten years after quitting, the lung cancer death rate for a quitter is about half that of a continuing smoker. Quitting also lowers the risk for other major diseases, including heart disease and stroke. "Quitting smoking is an important step toward staying well and creating a world with more birthdays," said Rebecca Rhodes, the health and wellness center flight chief here. "The Great American Smokeout is a great first step toward quitting or making a plan to quit, and the HAWC can help smokers through a variety of resources including coaching by certified tobacco specialists." Some important facts about tobacco use: -- Tobacco use remains the world's most preventable cause of death -- Cigarette smoking accounts for about 443,000 premature deaths, including 49,400 nonsmokers -- 30 percent of cancer deaths, including 87 percent of lung cancer deaths, can be attributed to smoking -- Smoking accounts for more than $193 billion in health care expenditures and productivity losses annually For more information, contact your health and wellness center. (Courtesy of the 87th Medical Group)