State to smokers/vapers: Use this date — during Great American Smokeout — to quit

The third Thursday of November each year is observed as the Great American Smokeout, a day that encourages smokers and vapers to commit to healthier, smoke-free lives.

Hawai‘i joins the nation this year in observing the annual Smokeout today (Nov. 20), and Hawaiʻi Department of Health encourages island residents to use this date to quit — even if it is for a day.

Who knows? It could lead to another day of being tobacco or vaping free — and then another, and another, and eventually the rest of your life.

“The tobacco industryʻs targeted and relentless marketing tactics and the addictiveness of nicotine make quitting hard,” said Hawaiʻi Department of Health Public Health Educator Gerrit DeWeese in the state’s announcement for the 2025 Great American Smokeout. “So much so that it typically takes many tries to quit. This is why the Great American Smokeout is a great opportunity to take that first step — even if it’s just for 24 hours — to remind yourself and your loved ones that quitting is possible.”

DeWeese added that Hawaiʻi residents of any age, who are ready to make the change, can get the support they need through free resources such as Hawaiʻi Tobacco Quitline and the My Life, My Quit program.

The state Health Department — in an effort to support those looking to quit smoking and vaping — recently also launched the End Their Fear campaign, aimed at encouraging people to quit for themselves and their loved ones by highlighting how quitting protects their health and brings peace of mind to those who care about them.

“If you have tried to quit tobacco or vaping on your own before, you know that it is not easy — but it is possible with the right support,” said Kapiʻolani Smoke-Free Families Tobacco Treatment Specialist Valerie Smalley in the state announcement. “Quitting with support greatly increases your chances of staying quit.”

Smalley added that — when you are ready — services such as Hawai‘i Tobacco Quitline and My Life, My Quit provide support at your own pace, without judgment.

Hawaiʻi Tobacco Quitline celebrates 20 years this year of providing free, confidential and convenient telephone and online services to help people quit tobacco and vaping.

Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit the Hawaiʻi Tobacco Quitline website to get more information and support with quitting.

My Life, My Quit is a free and confidential program with trained coaches to help Hawaiʻi youth up to 17 years old quit smoking or vaping. The program is offered by Hawai‘i Tobacco Quitline and is specifically for Hawai‘i teens who want to quit smoking or vaping.

Teens can sign up by visiting the My Life, My Quit website or with the new My Life, My Quit app (scan QR code).

Teens, parents, guardians and health care providers can also visit the My Life, My Quit website for additional information.

CREATE YOUR OWN GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT EVENT: Celebrate on your own and quit for the day or encourage friends or coworkers to quit for the day or for good. Even small actions — such as taking your friend or coworker out for lunch, bringing them a custom quit kit with gum or sending them an encouraging message — can make all the difference!