Great American Spit Out (GASpO)
Observed on Thursday of the third full week in Febuary, GASpO raises awareness about the harmful effects of smokeless tobacco. Smokeless tobacco is also known as spit tobacco, chewing tobacco, chew, and dip. Users put tobacco leaves into their mouth and suck on them instead of smoking them in cigarettes. Users are encouraged to quit for at least the day, with the ultimate goal of quitting for good. The day has been especially geared towards Soldiers and other military personnel, where rates of smokeless tobacco use are higher than the general population.
Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action
Originaly called Kick Butts Day, this day, organized by The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids , is observed on April 1st. Teachers, kids, youth leaders, and health advocates come together and organize events that raise awareness of the problem of tobacco use in communities, encourage kids to stay tobacco-free, and try to get anti-tobacco legislation passed.
World No Tobacco Day
31 May is World No Tobacco Day. Sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO). This annual celebration informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what WHO is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.
Great American Smokeout (GASO)
Sponsored by the America Cancer Society (ACS) the GASO is scheduled on the third Thursday in November of each year as a day of encouragement for smokers to refrain from using cigarettes for 24 hours. Join troops around the globe by quitting tobacco for the day, making a pledge to quit, or helping someone quit.
The ACS encourages smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By doing so, smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing caChewing smokeless tobacco contains 28 carcinogens (cancer-causing agents). The most harmful carcinogens are tobacco – specific nitrosamines. However, it is the nicotine in these products that cause the addiction. Nicotine absorption in smokeless tobacco products is 3 to 4 times that of smoking tobacco products and its slow absorption allows for a longer length of stay in the bloodstream.
