VSU Celebrates Great American Smokeout Nov. 17

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University has partnered with South Georgia Medical Center for the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17, at the Pedestrian Walkway gazebo.
 
The Great American Smokeout is a day dedicated to encouraging smokers to make a plan to quit. Every year on the third Thursday of November, tobacco users across the nation take part in the Great American Smokeout.
 
“VSU is a tobacco-free campus, and we feel that it is important to host events to provide support for those individuals who are interested in quitting tobacco,” said Chelsea Holcombe, coordinator of wellness and promotions for Campus Recreation. “About 40 million Americans still smoke cigarettes, and tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the world.  Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term effects at any age.”
 
Representatives from South Georgia Medical Center will be available to talk with students, faculty, and staff who are interested in quitting tobacco use. They will provide “Quit Kits,” which include a pocket-sized card with practical tips to help participants stay tobacco-free; a tobacco use tracker for users to identify when and why they smoke; gum, mints, and a lollipop, three items participants can reach for other than a cigarette; and a pencil to track progress.
 
The American Cancer Society reports that people who commit to quit on a specific day are more likely to kick the habit for good. Some health effects of quitting are instant, for example, heart rate and blood pressure drop 20 minutes after putting down the tobacco product.
 
The annual event is hosted by VSU Campus Recreation, Campus Wellness, and the Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Education.
 
Contact Chelsea Holcombe at cwells@valdosta.edu to learn more.
 
On the Web:
 
http://www.valdosta.edu/student/rec-wellness/campus-recreation/
 
https://www.valdosta.edu/administration/finance-admin/campus-wellness/welcome.php
 
www.valdosta.edu/aode
 
https://www.sgmc.org/home.aspx
 
http://www.cancer.org/healthy/stayawayfromtobacco/greatamericansmokeout/index