CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) announces a new feature article for this year’s Great American Smokeout, observed on November 19 this year.  CDC joins the American Cancer Society in urging people in this country who smoke to make a commitment to quit for better health.

Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body, including the lungs.  In addition to causing lung cancer, smoking also makes chronic lung disease worse and increases the risk of severe illness from infections like pneumonia and the flu.  Adults who smoke have an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, as well.

The article features the story of Geri M., a participant in CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers (TIPS) mass media education campaign.  Geri shares that she kept smoking heavily even after being diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and now relies on supplemental oxygen while she waits for the chance to get on the list for a lung transplant.  She hopes her story can inspire others to quit smoking for good.

In the article, readers can explore the health benefits of quitting, and find resources and proven treatments that help people quit smoking successfully.

In the article, readers can explore the health benefits of quitting, and find resources and proven treatments that help people quit smoking successfully.

See below for social media messages you can use with the attached images to promote the feature through your social media channels.

• Twitter: Ready to quit smoking? Join the millions of Americans who will start their journey to quit on 11/19 for @AmericanCancer’s #GreatAmericanSmokekout. Learn more: https://go.usa.gov/x7N8K
• Facebook: Are you ready to quit smoking? Join the millions of Americans who will start their journey to quit on Nov. 19 for the @AmericanCancerSociety’s #GreatAmericanSmokekout. Learn more: https://go.usa.gov/x7N8W

Consider using the following text on your website or in your next newsletter:

• “A new CDC feature article for the Great American Smokeout^®discusses how quitting smoking can improve lung health and eventually lower risk for severe illness from lung infections.”