UH Manoa plans Great American Smokeout 2008

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Akina Takahashi, 956-8060
Graduate Assistant/Health Promotion Office
Kristen Scholly, 956-8060
Health Education Coordinator/Health Promotion Office
Posted: Oct 29, 2008

The Health Promotion Office of University Health Services-Manoa is hosting the American Cancer Society‘s "Great American Smokeout" health fair this year. It will be held on Thursday, November 20th, 2008, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the UH Manoa Campus Center Mall.

Smoking is the number one preventable cause of death and illness in the United States and Hawaii, claiming more lives than car crashes, homicides, suicides, fires, AIDS and alcohol and other drug use combined. According to the American Cancer Society, many college age students have smoked for years because they started as teenagers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that each day about 4,000 persons under the age of 18 try their first cigarette, and more than 1,140 persons in this age group become daily smokers. Additionally, secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in the country. In 2006, to help curb secondhand smoke, the state of Hawaii became smoke-free.

On November 20th, community and campus organizations will be volunteering at the Great American Smokeout fair to help educate students about the effects of tobacco through interactive games and displays. This year, participants include: the Department of Health Tobacco Prevention Education Program, the Quitline, University of Hawaii School of Dental Hygiene, the Institute of Clinical Accupuncture and Oriental Medicine, the American Cancer Society, and more! The Great American Smokeout 2008 seeks to promote healthy lifestyles and will be providing free massages, prizes, and other healthy alternatives to smoking.

For more information, please contact Akina Takahashi or Kristen Scholly at 956-3574.