Tobacco use is linked to increased cancer risk and is still the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. Now, Local officials are joining a national campaign to promote healthy living and to rally smokers to put down their cigarettes.
State Representative Kevin Schreiber and other York City leaders are promoting the American Cancer Society's "Great American Smokeout." The national event is held on the third Thursday of November every year, and encourages smokers to use the date to quit smoking.
Schreiber presented a joint proclamation from the state county and city to York City Bureau of Health, Eat Play Breathe York and the Tobacco Free Task Force for their important contributions to the event and for their efforts to improve the health of the community.
"Put down the cigarette for 24 hours," former smoker Karen Phillips-Spriggs said, "Let your body adjust to fresh air, just for 24 hours, and see what difference it makes and maybe, just maybe, you won`t pick up another cigarette."
According to the American Cancer Society, people who stop smoking before age 50 cut their risk of dying in the next 15 years in half compared to those who continue to smoke.