The third Thursday in November is designated as the Great American Smoke Out (GASO), which is observed annually. GASO is a potent reminder to smokers to make the commitment to live a smoke-free life and encourages smokers to stop smoking as the first step towards living a healthier lifestyle.

 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that a person’s heart rate begins to decrease minutes after they stop smoking, and that their chance of having a heart attack dramatically decreases in one to two years. More benefits to their health accrue over time if they continue to remain smoke-free. A smoking cessation timetable on the CDC’s website under the “Benefits of Quitting” tab outlines the immediate and long-term health benefits of giving up.

 

November also brings awareness of lung cancer. Smoking is said to be responsible for around 85% of lung cancer cases, according to the CDC. Furthermore, increased knowledge highlights the disease’s startling effects. Since exposure to secondhand smoke is one of the risk factors for lung cancer, lung cancer can affect both smokers and non-smokers.

 

Thankfully, screenings may make early lung cancer detection possible, potentially leading to better results and higher survival rates. GASO and Lung Cancer Awareness Month go hand in hand. During this month of awareness, it is critical to acknowledge the role that healthcare services, support systems, and education play in preventing smoking-related illnesses and lessening the incidence of lung cancer.

 

NYC Smoke-Free will be hosting several GASO events this month aimed at educating and informing the public on second-hand smoke exposure and distributing educational materials to help build awareness around helping smokers to quit.

 

At NYC Smoke-Free, we want to enable people to make informed health decisions by facilitating discussions about health screenings and quitting smoking as well as by offering educational materials. Our program promotes health, encourages healthy lifestyle choices, and lessens the harmful impacts of smoking-related illnesses and smoking prevalence.

 

We are getting closer to a time when fewer people will lose their lives to smoking-related diseases, such as lung cancer, by increasing awareness and promoting smoking cessation.

 

For more information on NYC Smoke-Free or to lend support in ending NYC’s devastating tobacco epidemic please visit www.NYCSmokeFree.org

 

Angela Hanson is the Bronx Reality Check youth engagement officer at NYC Smoke-Free, Public Health Solutions.

 

Click here to view our previous coverage of Lung Cancer Awareness Month.