LEWISTON – Thursday, Nov. 20, will mark the 33rd annual American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout. The Smokeout was started in 1976 to inspire and encourage smokers to quit for one day. It is an opportunity for people to make a long-term plan to quit and to celebrate past successes, renewing the commitment to being tobacco-free.

Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. In Maine, seven people will die each day from a tobacco-related illness. In Androscoggin County, about 24.5 percent of adults are smokers, but it is never too late for these smokers to quit.

All are welcome at Healthy Androscoggin’s Great American Smokeout community event from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Lepage Large Conference Room at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.

Residents will learn about resources available to help quit. In addition, Central Maine Medical Center will be recognized by the Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network for its efforts in creating a tobacco-free hospital environment.

The free event will also feature speakers, including Carol Coles from the Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Maine and Bonnie Bickford from the American Cancer Society. Light refreshments will be available.

For more information about these events or to learn more about quitting smoking, residents may contact Healthy Androscoggin at 795-5990 or online at www.healthyandroscoggin.org.