The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is challenging smokers to quit tobacco use for at least 24 hours during the 33^rd annual Great American Smokeout, which took place yesterday.

“The Great American Smokeout is a great opportunity to encourage the residents of LA County to commit to making a long-term plan to quit for good. Kicking the habit of smoking cigarettes or cigars, or of chewing tobacco will add years to your life and will immediately improve your health,” said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer. “Quitting smoking can also improve the health of your wallet. Purchasing a pack of cigarettes a day costs a smoker nearly $1,600 a year, which is money that can be spent on gas for your car or on fun activities for the family.”

Tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of death and premature death in Los Angeles and the U.S. Each year, smoking accounts for an estimated 438,000 premature deaths, including 38,000 deaths among nonsmokers as a result of secondhand smoke.

“It is well worth the effort to quit smoking when you consider that one out of six deaths in Los Angeles County is from tobacco-related diseases,” said Dr. Fielding. “Smoking greatly increases the risk for many types of cancer, heart disease and stroke. Smokers are also 10 times as likely to develop peripheral vascular disease, narrowing of blood vessels in the legs, stomach, arms and kidneys.”