| The Great American Smokeout is an annual event in the United
States to encourage Americans (of whom 45.8 million smoke) to quit tobacco smoking. It was first held in 1977, and is sponsored by the
American Cancer Society. Its spokesman is Smokey Robinson.
In 2004 it was held on November 18,
one week before Thanksgiving, its traditional time.
The event evolved from a series of events.
- In 1971, in Randolph, Massachusetts, Arthur P. Mullaney suggested people give up cigarettes for a day and donate the money to a local high school.
- In 1974, a "Don't Smoke Day" (or "D-Day") was promoted by Lynn R. Smith of the Monticello Times in Monticello, Minnesota.
- In 1976, a statewide smokeout organized by the California Division of the American
Cancer Society claimed to prompt nearly one million smokers to quit for the day.
It is unknown what the actual effectiveness of the event is.
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