Twenty-six years ago, the American Cancer Society started the Great American Smokeout as an annual day to spotlight the dangers of smoking and challenge people to stop using tobacco.

On Thursday, Nov. 21, youth and adults in Tennessee will be celebrating the Great American Smokeout with community events - restaurants will go smoke-free for the day, youth will pledge to be smoke-free and parents will decide to provide smoke-free environments for their children.

The Great American Smokeout is a national event held on the third Thursday of each November.

As times have changed, the focus of the Great American Smokeout has evolved from simply helping adults quit smoking to helping children and teenagers understand why they should never start smoking in the first place.

The Great American Smokeout is also a time for Tennesseans to commit to a smoke-free environment for themselves and for their children.

“There is much to accomplish in order to significantly reduce tobacco-related diagnoses and deaths,” said Joan Sartin, director of the Tobacco Use Prevention program.

“Smoking is the preventable cause of death in our society, yet according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, an estimated 1,064,000 Tennesseans smoke and 14,500 Tennessee youth (under 18) become daily smokers each year,” she said.

“The 2000 Tennessee Youth Tobacco Survey indicates more than 60 percent of middle school students and high school students are exposed to environmental smoke on a regular basis.”

Secondhand smoke affects everyone, but children are especially vulnerable because they are still growing and developing.

Medical studies have shown exposure to secondhand smoke causes serious health effects in children, including bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections, worsened asthma and even sudden infant death syndrome. For children, particularly young children, the most likely place of exposure is their home.

“Use today to start a change for a healthier you and a healthier environment for those around you,” Sartin said. “Stop smoking, or until you do, smoke outside.”