LEWISTON — Every year, on the third Thursday of November, smokers across the nation take part in the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout. Participants use this date to make a plan to quit, or plan in advance to quit smoking that day.

The Great American Smokeout event challenges people to stop using tobacco and provides information about the many tools they can use to help them quit and stay smoke-free.

The Great American Smokeout is also the registration kickoff for Healthy Androscoggin’s 17th annual Quit and Win Program. Participants attend a 5-week tobacco cessation series that meets from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays starting Jan. 13, 2016. Other class dates are: Jan. 20, 27 and Feb. 3, 10. The program will be held at the Dempsey Center, 29 Lowell St., Lewiston. Those who participate in the program may be eligible for cash prizes as well as prizes from local businesses. For more information and to register call Healthy Androscoggin at 795-5990.

Research shows that smokers are most successful in kicking the habit when they have support, such as: telephone smoking-cessation hotlines, stop-smoking groups, online quit groups, counseling, nicotine replacement products, prescription medicine to lessen cravings, guide books and encouragement and support from friends and family members

The Tobacco Support Group meets from 6-7 p.m. every Thursday at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, Lobby Conference Room, 93 Campus Ave., Lewiston. The support group is free and no registration is required. The tobacco support group is open to anyone.

The Maine Tobacco Helpline is also available and gives people direct access to a tobacco specialist who will help smokers create a quit plan that is tailored to the individual. Call the Helpline at 1-800-207-1230.