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THE GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT
FACT SHEET
1995

The American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout is the day each year when smokers and nonsmokers alike commit to keeping our society and our children smoke-free.

To that end, adults across the nation will be packing up their cigarettes and other tobacco products for the day on Thursday, November 16. For "hooked" smokers, Smokeout is a day to prove to themselves that they can quit. For teenagers and children, Smokeout is a day to work toward a better, healthier, smoke-free environment.

SmokeScreamThis year, children ages 9-15 will gather at schools across the nation to scream out against smoking in the Great American SmokeScream. While raising the awareness among teens of the social and physical disadvantages of smoking, the SmokeScream will also send a clear message to the tobacco industry and the to FDA -- our youth are tired of being exploited by the tobacco giants. The Great American SmokeScream is scheduled for 2:00 PMEastern Standard Time on Thursday, November 16.


In previous years, participation among smokers in the Great American Smokeout has been more than 20%. The American Cancer Society expects nearly 10 million to participate in the 1995 Great American Smokeout through community, business, and school Smokeout programs.

Nonsmokers can join in the fun by adopting family members, friends, or co-workers and helping them quit for the day. Students across the nation will join the Great American SmokeScream to help draw attention to the reasons youth shouldn't start smoking in the first place.

The term Smokeout was coined by Arthur P. Mullaney in 1971. He created an event that asked people in Randolph, MA, to give up cigarettes for a day and donate the money to a high school scholarship fund. Later, Lynn R. Smith, editor of the Monticello Times in Minnesota, spearheaded the state's first D-Day, or Don't Smoke Day. It spread like wildfire throughout Minnesota and then in 1976 blazed west to California, where is was renamed the Great American Smokeout. Now in its 19th year as an annual nationwide celebration, the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout is better than ever.

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