What Is the Great American Smokeout?

This annual event, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, is held on the third Thursday of November. Smokers are encouraged to quit and commit to healthy, smoke-free lives for at least 24 hours, but hopefully forever. Visit the American Cancer Center website to learn more.

Smoking Cessation Success Stories Across Johns Hopkins Medicine

Jason

I smoked two packs of cigarettes a day for 20 years. In 2014, I quit smoking and haven’t picked up a cigarette since then. I really credit my quitting to the free Tobacco Free Florida smoking cessation program. The changes in my body and life continue to inspire me to stay smoke-free. I am now able to breathe easily, sleep through the night without coughing myself awake, have whiter teeth, and I don't smell like an ashtray. I’m also able to participate in activities like watching a movie from start to finish without taking a smoke break, and I am saving literally thousands of dollars a year that would have gone to tobacco products. I’ll never go back to smoking.

Deborah

I made the decision to stop smoking after over 40 years. This decision was not an easy one, but I decided I had to do it for myself and my family. The most important fact people need to know is that smoking is an addiction and should be treated as such. I am still smoke-free and it’s been two years. I truly believe the reason I have done so well is my support system. It is so important to have that. My families both here at work and at home have supported me since Day One. I also believe keeping busy by going walking or starting a new project at home has helped. I’m inspired to continue living a healthy lifestyle now that I feel better about myself, and I want to let others know that this can be done. I never thought I could stop, but now I realize I can and will continue to be smoke-free. I am proud to be able to have a normal life and enjoy it as it should be: drug free.

Anonymous

A year ago, in August 2018, I had a scare with my health and decided to quit smoking. Now, a year later, I am still smoke-free! I feel better and am able to do more physical activity with my children and enjoy quality time with them. It has been the best decision I ever made!

Since quitting smoking, I was nervous I would gain extra pounds, but I am proud to say that I haven’t. I haven’t had many food cravings, and when I do, I chew gum instead of indulging in the craving. My oldest son is working to lose weight, and we have been working on this goal as a family. We are eating healthier foods and I am hoping to see 10 pounds off by Christmas.

There has been stress in my life recently with my parents getting older and my father needing a kidney transplant, but I have taken the good with the bad. I have realized that there isn’t anything I can do in this situation but hope for the best. What makes me feel better and calms me down is spending every Sunday with my parents. We go to the grocery store together and then have a nice lunch out. We also spend weekends with my sons on the baseball or soccer fields.

Katherine

A couple of years ago, I was a heavy smoker. (I smoked over a pack a day!) I went to the doctor and explained I wanted to make some lifestyle changes. I was really worried about how I would learn to cope with stress without smoking. My doctor suggested I start hiking and being more active. On days where my cravings were intense, I would go for a long hike in nature and breathe in fresh air. On days where the weather was bad, I would walk indoors at the mall or the hospital. I am inspired to live a healthy lifestyle by trying to find new ways to make myself healthy and better! I enjoy taking classes like Pilates and yoga, which have really been wonderful in helping me manage stress. Being healthier makes me happier.

Jeffrey

I have been cigarette free for six years! I always remember that date, because it was on Halloween night that I stopped smoking. On my own, I weaned myself off cigarettes. Each day, I smoked one less cigarette until I was down to one, which happened to be on Halloween night. And that’s all she wrote. I can literally breathe easier and am much more able to be physically active.

Andrea

I was a smoker for years. My children were getting to the ages of having families, so that meant grandbabies. I decided that I wanted to be around for many years of having fun, babysitting and watching them grow. Nine years this October, I decided to quit. I had a bad cold — sinus infection along with bronchitis. For two weeks, I didn’t have a cigarette. This prompted me to realize: If I haven’t had one in two weeks, now is as good a time as any to quit. Almost nine years later, I am smoke-free! Feeling better and having two grandsons to keep me busy inspires me to continue living a healthy lifestyle.