LANSING - The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) encourages Michigan residents to participate in the American Cancer Society's 36th annual Great American Smokeout on Thursday by quitting smoking, planning a date to quit smoking, or supporting friends and family in their quit attempt.

"Smoking is an addiction so quitting is hard, but it is the best thing a smoker can do to improve their overall health and lower their risk of cancer," said Dean Sienko, Interim Chief Medical Executive for the MDCH. "Currently, close to 20 percent of Michigan adults use tobacco so there is still more to be done. For those who are ready to quit, Thursday is a great opportunity to join many others and kick the habit for good."

November is also Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Michigan and the United States. In 2008, 5,883 people in Michigan died from lung cancer. Smoking causes 80 to 90 percent of all lung cancers and the risk of developing lung cancer increases with the quantity and duration of cigarette use.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, in as little as one year, a former smoker's risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a continuing smoker's. The good news is that more than half of all current smokers have tried to quit for at least one day in the past year. Each time a person tries to quit, they are another step closer to being healthier and tobacco-free for life.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids notes that more than 1.6 million Michigan adults smoke and more than 70 percent of them would like to quit. If you or someone you know is thinking about quitting, there are many effective programs that can help. To see a list of useful resources, go to www.michigan.gov/tobacco. Your insurance plan, including Medicare or Medicaid, may pay for programs or even medications to assist with quitting smoking. Individuals should discuss their specific risk and options with their physician.

A variety of free resources are available to help Michigan residents quit smoking. The MDCH offers a free telephone service to help tobacco users quit. Residents can call the Michigan Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) or visit www.njhcommunity.org/michigan. Callers can receive information and if qualified, can enroll in a free coaching program and receive nicotine replacement medications to assist them in quitting.

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