Baltimore, MD ( November 14, 2012) -   Each year since 1977, the American Cancer Society has sponsored the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday of November to help smokers quit for at least one day, in hopes they will quit forever. The 2012 Great American Smokeout will be held tomorrow, November 15.

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene knows how hard quitting can be, but there is free help available to residents. The Great American Smokeout is a great reason to pick up the phone and call to the Maryland Tobacco Quitline, 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669). 

The Quitline is a telephone-based tobacco cessation service provided at no charge to Marylanders who want to quit tobacco. The Quitline provides free, personalized counseling by professional Quit Coaches. Callers enrolled in the Quitline's program work with a quit coach throughout the quitting process. During a series of up to four telephone sessions, the coaches assist callers in developing and working through a quit plan based on their individual needs. While supplies last, a four week supply of the patch or gum is available for free when you call the Quitline. The Quitline is open 7 days a week from 7am-3am. TTY: 1-877-777-6534.

Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet more than 45 million Americans still smoke cigarettes. However, more than half of these smokers have attempted to quit for at least one day in the past year.

Whether residents start small and quit for just 24 hours or quit for life, this November 15th is their chance to take a step toward a life free from tobacco. For more information about the Quitline, please visit www.smokingstopshere.com