The Great American Smokeout is Thursday - Put Down the Butts for a Day

The Great American Smokeout is Thursday, when the county's Health Services Dept. is asking smokers to quit for 24 hours. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, this annual event is aimed at getting more people to stop one of the deadliest habits there is.

County health workers will offer "quit kits" at the Concord Health Center at 3052 Willow Pass Road from Nov. 13 to 15, plus free lung screenings in San Pablo and Pittsburg on Tuesday and in Martinez on Wednesday and Thursday.

More details can be found in the county's announcement below:

When It Comes to Smoking, It’s OK to be a Quitter 

Events on Tuesday in Pittsburg and San Pablo, on Wednesday and Thursday in Martinez 

WHAT:  Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) is encouraging smokers to “be a quitter” for at least 24 hours as part of the annual Great American Smokeout on Nov. 15. CCHS will be offering “Quit Kits” to help smokers kick the habit, as well as free lung screenings before and on the day of the Smokeout. The Quit Kits will include items to help tobacco-users curb their cravings such as stress balls, cinnamon sticks and coupons for smoking cessation aids. The lung screenings or “spirometry” tests provide quick results and can detect the early onset of lung disease. The Great American Smokeout, a national event started by the American Cancer Society 37 years ago, encourages smokers to quit for at least 24 hours and make a plan to quit permanently. 

WHO: Anyone who wants to quit smoking is welcome. 

WHEN & WHERE:

Tuesday, Nov. 13: Lung screenings and Quit Kits will be offered at West County Health Center (13601 San Pablo Ave., San Pablo) and Pittsburg Health Center (2311 Loveridge Rd., Pittsburg) from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Wednesday & Thursday, Nov. 14-15: Lung Screenings and Quit Kits will be offered at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (2500 Alhambra Ave, Martinez) and Martinez Health Center (located next to CCRMC) from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Quit Kits also will be available on these days at all our Health Centers (located in Antioch, Bay Point, Brentwood, Concord, Martinez, North Richmond, Pittsburg and San Pablo).           

WHY: Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. The Great American Smokeout helps smokers take an important first step toward leading longer, healthier lives. 

For more information, please visit cancer.org/smokeout or cchealth.org. To find addresses for the Health Centers, visit http://cchealth.org/services/centers_clinics/by_city.php