NDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WOWO): Thursday, November 20, is the Great American Smokeout (GASO), a day to commit to being tobacco free. The campaign is used as a way to encourage smokers to make a plan to quit.

In Indiana alone, the number of adults who smoke (21.9 percent) has decreased significantly since 2011, however, Indiana’s smoking rate remains among the highest in the nation with over one million adult smokers.

“We know through survey data that about 80 percent of smokers want to quit,” said State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H. “The Great American Smokeout challenge is really about taking a stand against big tobacco, nicotine addiction and the devastating health effects of tobacco use. Once you prove you can put down cigarettes and other tobacco products for an entire day, you’re already on your way to successfully quitting.”

<p style=”margin-bottom: 0in;”> By quitting, smokers will be taking a step towards a healthier life and reducing their risk of cancer. Smoking accounts for at least 30 percent of all cancer deaths, including 87 percent of lung cancer deaths among men and 70 percent of lung cancer deaths among women.

Smoking is also responsible for other chronic diseases, including stroke, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Hoosiers can receive free help in quitting tobacco by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or by visiting www.QuitNowIndiana.com.