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November 21, 2024 / 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
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Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. Proclaims Thursday, November 21, 2024, as the Great American Smoke-Out Day in Little Rock
Thursday, Nov. 21st is the nationally recognized Great American Smoke-Out Day (GASO). To commemorate the annual day of observance, the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Arkansas (CTFA) has partnered with the City of Little Rock and several other partners to hold a 10:00 a.m. press conference on November 21st at Little Rock City Hall in the first-floor rotunda.
The annual day is yet another opportunity for the Coalition to increase public awareness by shedding light on the health burden caused by smoking, the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Further, the annual day of observance is an occasion for us to highlight the many adverse health and economic implications that are caused or exacerbated by smoking and vaping.
Research informs us that more than 400,000 people die each year in the U.S. from smoking commercial tobacco products, not to mention the more than 40, 000 nonsmokers who die from secondhand smoke exposure. According to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, smoking kills more people than alcohol, AIDS, car accidents, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined.
“We proudly support the national Great American Smoke-Out Day each year,” said Katherine Donald, Executive Director of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Arkansas. “We hope that smokers, and vapers too, all over Arkansas will join with millions of tobacco users across the country on November 21st to pledge to quit for at least twenty-four hours, with the hope the pledge will inspire a journey toward a smoke-free/nicotine-free lifestyle”. “We know the sooner a smoker begins the quit journey, the soon their body can start the recovery process…Just 20 minutes after the last cigarette, a smoker’s heart rate, and blood pressure drop. In just 12 hours after the last puff, the carbon monoxide level in a smoker’s blood drops to normal”. “The most important step is the first step,” said Donald.
Among those slated to speak at the press conference are representatives from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Public Health, the Arkansas Department of Health, the City of Little Rock, grassroots advocates, and current and former smokers.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend our Great American Smoke-Out Day press conference. A free box lunch will be provided to the first fifty (50) in attendance.
